-- OpenRAN is Set to Enable Connectivity and Bridge the Digital Divide

Parallel Wireless, Inc. ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=3185843356&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2420482-1%26h%3D1695785881%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.linkedin.com%252Fcompany%252Fparallel-wireless-inc-%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=Parallel+Wireless%2C+Inc 
), the leading U.S.-based OpenRAN company delivering the world's first 
software-defined end-to-end 5G 4G 3G 2G Open RAN solutions, today announced 
that, in partnership with i engineering Group, they have been selected by 
Orange within an overall multi-country program to extend the current coverage 
and to expand their current 700,000 subscriber base across the Central African 
Republic as the first deployment. In Africa, Orange is implementing a program 
called IDEAL: Include Digital in Every African Life. This program aims to 
provide digital services to their customers who do not have any connectivity 
today.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004727/PW_FullColor_CMYK_Logo.jpg  

Orange, one of the largest operators of mobile and internet services in Europe 
and Africa and a global leader in corporate telecommunication services, is the 
most recent company to join the Central African Republic telecom market, which 
is comprised of four operators. Central African Republic is a digitally divided 
country with only 48% unique mobile ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=2009283277&u=https%3A%2F%2Fdatareportal.com%2Freports%2Fdigital-2020-central-african-republic&a=only+48%25+unique+mobile+ 
)connections and limited network infrastructure.  Traditional 2G, 3G or 4G 
networks require expensive and bulky equipment to deploy and operate.  These 
hardware-based networks are difficult and pricey to upgrade.

Parallel Wireless enables a shift to open, software-based, and virtualized 
OpenRAN network architectures to deliver scalable 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G 
software-based networks. These are cost-effective to deploy, maintain and can 
deliver the coverage and capacity to the end users and businesses across the 
country. The Parallel Wireless OpenRAN has shown a very strong performance, 
quality of service and cost benefits on six continents with:

  -- The most mature OpenRAN ecosystem ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=1389007132&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parallelwireless.com%2Fproducts%2Fsoftware-defined-virtualized-ran%2F&a=OpenRAN+ecosystem 
) of radio hardware that is software upgradable to any G and can support any 
3GPP compliant RAN splits. 
  -- COTS-based vBBU to deliver scalable capacity for differentiated voice and 
data. 
  -- GLOMO award winning OpenRAN Controller software  ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=2583886972&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parallelwireless.com%2Fproducts%2Fwifi-openran-controller%2F&a=OpenRAN+Controller+software 
) to lower the cost of RAN through simplification, automation via real-time 
SON, and full virtualization of networks. It also provides seamless mobility, 
local breakout, and low latency for the best subscriber experience for 2G voice 
and 3G/4G data. The software enables OpenRAN architecture and DU/CU split by 
using standards-based and open interfaces between network components. It also 
simplifies network management and integration of new RAN products into the core 
of the network.

Orange's strategic goal is to build and grow wireless networks across Africa, 
and to provide next-generation digital services to its customers in the region. 
Working in partnership with Parallel Wireless and i engineering Group, Orange 
will meet that goal by:

  -- Building a world-class, cloud-based, 5G-ready Open RAN network based on
     Parallel Wireless high-performance, distributed architecture; 
  -- Improving service agility and reducing operational costs across
     geographically distributed sites, with the introduction of RAN automation; 
  -- Utilizing i engineering Group expertise in building and managing cell
     sites.

Supporting quotes

Hervé Suquet, CTIO, Orange Middle East & Africa, said: "Through our IDEAL 
program (Include Digital in Every African Life), at Orange, we provide reliable 
connectivity to our customers, backed by our innovative infrastructure. The 
combination of RAN openness and virtualization, automation and new 
revenue-generating opportunities will enable Orange to lead the market to meet 
the needs of our customers most effectively in Central African Republic. 
Indeed, thanks to this technology, Orange RCA will provide to rural populations 
the full range of services (voice, data and Orange Money), already provided in 
urban areas. Being able to run 2G and 3G on the same system today and, as our 
customers upgrade their devices to 4G in the future, seamlessly upgrade to 4G 
will help us not only extend our initial investment, but also bring new 
services much faster. Parallel Wireless is a well-known Open RAN player, and 
together with the deployment and managed services expertise from i engineering 
Group, they have become true strategic partners and the key enablers in us 
undertaking this unique network modernization."

Kadri Hakim, Co-CEO, i engineering Group, said, "Innovation is a very important 
aspect for our business moving forward as we aim to develop innovative 
solutions for our customers. The focus of our cooperation with Parallel 
Wireless is to help to deliver on Orange's vision of connecting businesses and 
people by using Parallel Wireless's leading OpenRAN technology to allow 
everyone to enjoy wireless connectivity while future-proofing network 
investments for any forthcoming services."

Bernard Lamy, Sales Director, Parallel Wireless, said, "Implementing our 
world's leading Open RAN platform will allow Orange to enable new subscriber 
services to be deployed quickly, seamlessly and more reliably."

About Parallel Wireless

Parallel Wireless is the only U.S.-based company challenging the world's legacy 
vendors with the industry's only unified ALL G (5G/4G/3G/2G) software-enabled 
OpenRAN solution. Its cloud-native network software reimagines network 
economics for global mobile operators in both coverage and capacity 
deployments, while also paving the way to 5G. The company is engaged with 50+ 
leading operators worldwide. Parallel Wireless's innovation and excellence in 
multi-technology, open virtualized RAN solutions have been recognized with 72+ 
industry awards. For more information, visit: www.parallelwireless.com. Connect 
with Parallel Wireless on LinkedIn ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=318400310&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2420482-1%26h%3D1695785881%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.linkedin.com%252Fcompany%252Fparallel-wireless-inc-%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=LinkedIn 
) and Twitter ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=2440594230&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2420482-1%26h%3D217690187%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ftwitter.com%252FParallel_tw%26a%3DTwitter&a=Twitter 
).

About i engineering Group 

Established in 2007, i engineering Group is a leading provider of end-to-end 
solutions in infrastructure and managed services in Africa and Emerging 
Markets. Initially expert in telecom and power infrastructure, we have grown 
rapidly since our inception reach 17 operations and have successfully 
diversified in Public Construction Infrastructure, Fiber Optic & Data Centers. 

The Group's efficient approach coupled with the application of a rigorous 
quality management system has earned it a large portfolio of internationally 
renowned clients as well as numerous industry accreditations.

With local expertise and international reach, we provide cost effective and 
innovative solutions that allow our clients to reach their business goals. For 
more information, visit: https://www.ieng-group.com/

About Orange

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with sales of 
42 billion euros in 2019 and 145,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2020, 
including 85,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 
253 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2020, including 208 million mobile 
customers and 21million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 
countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication 
services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. 
In December 2019, the Group presented its new "Engage 2025" strategic plan, 
which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its 
operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at 
the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and 
responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock 
Exchange (symbol ORAN).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, 
www.orange-business.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr ( 
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).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material 
are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

SOURCE: Parallel Wireless

CONTACT: Eugina Jordan, VP, Marketing, Parallel Wireless, 
Ejordan@parallelwireless.com, 978-660-8659