Paris, Thursday, June 11, 2015

As part of its Open Innovation strategy, Orange is launching this tool for start-ups wanting to develop connected objects whose use requires mobility and broadband; for example, to record and transmit videos in real time.

Designed in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent and Sequans, the 4G kit for IoT enables start-ups to quickly and cheaply design their connected objects for testing in live conditions on the Orange 4G network. With these prototypes, it will be easier for start-ups, fablabs and entrepreneurs to convince investors and customers so that they can move on to the industrialisation of their products and services.

The 4G Kit for IoT is a turnkey 4G connectivity solution including the equipment necessary to produce a connected object: an Olimex micro-computer, a 4G module, an aerial, a battery and an Orange SIM card with data included. The kit also contains software that enables native management of the Orange 4G connection and a whole range of functions in the Cloud (storage, processing etc.) to enrich the object's potential.

" We are delighted to be able to contribute, with the 4G kit for IoT, to the acceleration of IoT start-ups seeking to create new services that can rely on the power of Orange 4G networks and will benefit our customers " emphasises Mari-Noëlle Jego-Laveissière, Executive Director Innovation, Marketing and Technologies.

Initially launched for a trial period of 3 months (June to September 2015), the aim is to test market appetite for 4G connectivity connected objects. For this phase, Orange is seeking motivated partners with concrete projects to help test and improve the 4G kit for IoT. This is why Orange is inviting any interested start-ups to file an application on the site http://www.orangepartner.com/4GKit. The first 200 kits will be subsidised by Orange and Alcatel-Lucent.