It's a small red light that could well disrupt the fiber optic path. Orange recently unveiled its new Livebox S, the first box in the world to integrate a light pen. This device, previously reserved for technicians, allows a subscriber's fiber optic line to be identified remotely thanks to a light beam visible in street cabinets.
"It frees up the customer and makes things simpler for us." The objective was also to simplify after-sales service and commissioning," explains Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Orange, to Ariase. The French group, which patented this technology, intends to modernize a sector where human intervention often remains essential.
Installation and troubleshooting at distance: a small revolution
In concrete terms, during installation or in the event of a breakdown, the Livebox S detects the absence of a signal and automatically activates its optical pen. The technician, stationed at the sharing point (or more simply the street cabinet), then immediately locates the subscriber's line thanks to the red light that travels through the fiber over several kilometers. With this new feature, it is no longer necessary to wait for an appointment or open the door to a technician.
The subscriber simply connects their Livebox S to the fiber socket. and everything else is done remotely. A significant time and convenience saving, whereas installation times could sometimes stretch over several days. Beyond simplicity, this innovation also promises greater reliability with fewer operating errors in street cabinets or accidental outages caused by competing interventions. The light signal helps identify the correct line and reduces the risk of poor connection or fiber "theft." For technicians, it also saves valuable time and is a gesture for the environment. By limiting home interventions, Orange indicates that the optical pen could "open the way" to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Towards a 100% autonomous installation?
While Orange does not rule out, in the long term, a completely autonomous installation where the customer would only have to connect the box for everything to work, the customer's presence is still required for the moment to validate the installation. But the trend is clear: the operator is focusing on automation and simplicity, in a context where the demand for fiber is not weakening.
The Livebox S is now equipped with the Orange Livebox Fiber offer (29.99 euros/month for 12 months then 42.99 euros/month)*, gradually replacing the Livebox 5. However, this innovation is not available on the Livebox 7 because it would require a major hardware update. However, we could see it appear in the operator's next high-end Livebox.
*Once offered with the Livebox Fiber Special Series, the Livebox S is no longer available with this offer. Orange has adjusted its subscription and is offering the Livebox 6 instead.
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