The historic operator suddenly launches a new high-end box offering higher speeds thanks to new optical fiber technology. Probably not a coincidence, Free will soon launch a new Freebox.
Without fanfare. It is through a simple press release sent this Thursday, October 5, 2023 that Orange has just unveiled the Livebox 7, its new high-end box. A case that closely resembles the Livebox 6, marketed just over a year ago: vertical format, fabric covering, electronic ink screen on the front… from this point of view, we are on familiar ground.
Livebox 7: XGS-PON to reach 5 Gbit/s
Orange has, however, made a fundamental change: the Livebox 7 is its first box compatible with XGS-PON technology. A barbaric name which hides more advanced optical fiber technology than that which equipped its previous boxes (GPON). Already adopted by Bouygues Telecom and SFR, it promises, on paper, a symmetrical speed of up to 10 Gbit/s for download and upload (or upload).
The Livebox 7 does not go that far, far from it. But Orange still takes advantage of XGS-PON to increase the speeds of its most expensive offer (Livebox Max Fiber). Previously limited to 2 Gbit/s for downloading, this package associated with a Livebox 7 allows you to reach a maximum speed of 5 Gbit/s. The upload speed increases slightly, to 1 Gbit/s. However, we are far from the upstream speeds promised by XGS-PON!
As for the price, it is also increasing slightly. The Livebox Max Fiber offer with Livebox 7 is now sold at €57.99 per month (compared to €54.99 previously), after a six-month reduction to €39.99 per month. The Livebox 6 does not disappear from the catalog however. It is now available on the Livebox Up Fiber intermediate offer, which offers a download speed of 2 Gbit/s and 600 Mbit/s upload. With a package of €33.99 per month for six months, then €51.99 per month.
Livebox 7: who can benefit from the promised 5 Gbit/s?
Before opting for the Livebox 7 offer, which is among the most expensive on the market, be sure to check your eligibility. For XGS-PON technology to reveal its true potential, Orange must also update its network, which is far from being the case across the entire country. A spokesperson for the operator told us that “40% of the network would be covered in 2024”.
In other words, you have a good chance of only benefiting from a maximum speed of 2 Gbit/s at the moment, even if you have a Livebox 7. Simply enter your address on the Orange website to find out the speed that you can achieve with the Livebox Max Fiber offer.
Livebox 7: 10 Gbit/s Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6E on the program
XGS-PON aside, the Livebox 7 benefits from another major update: it is the first Orange box to have an Ethernet port capable of reaching 10 Gbit/s, which will allow you to benefit from , if you have compatible hardware, the maximum speed of your connection on your local network. There are also four 1 Gbit/s RJ45 ports on the back, a USB port as well as two sockets for connecting landline telephones.
Unsurprisingly, the Livebox 7 obviously also has Wi-Fi 6E, which was introduced on the previous model. As a reminder, this technology offers an additional frequency band and considerably increases the speeds and coverage of the wireless network. “ Wi-Fi 6E throughput can reach 7.64 Gbps, which is comparable to the Livebox 7’s 10 Gbps Ethernet port. ” Orange wanted to tell us. But be careful, to benefit from it, you must also have hardware (smartphones, PC, etc.) compatible with Wi-Fi 6E. And they are still rare.
When presenting the Livebox 6, Orange placed a lot of emphasis on its “green” aspects. The Livebox 7 uses the same design principles: recycled materials, more environmentally friendly manufacturing and now a “new generation packaging, which allows the box to be sent to the customer without additional cardboard, and directly to their mailbox” according to the operator. Who also emphasizes its reduced consumption: count 7.8 W in “network standby” mode, with all ports connected. The same performance as the Livebox 6.
Livebox 7: Orange’s weapon to counter Free?
This sudden announcement is, however, surprising: at the launch of the Livebox 6, the access provider had promised an “upgradable” box, which would have gained new technologies over time. However, it is indeed a new product that it is marketing a year later.
Perhaps we should see here the shadow of Xavier Niel, who announced a few days ago that Free was preparing to launch a new high-end box, its Freebox v9, which should replace the Freebox Delta. Between Free and Orange, soon a new box war?