Orange Belgium continues to open doors for young tech talent
May 28, 2025
This spring, close to 100 students from EPB (ULB/VUB), HEPL and UMONS left the classroom and stepped into the telecom world at Orange Belgium over the course of three separate visits. On different sites and in different groups, they got a rare look at what telecom looks like in practice: how networks are built, tested, and monitored, and what it takes to keep Belgium connected.
What they discovered shifted how they see the industry…
And, for some, their own future.
A growing connection with young talent
These visits are part of Orange Belgium’s broader and continuous commitment to helping young talent connect with real-world technology, and with the people behind it. Through its Tech Academy, internship programmes, and the Orange Summer School, Orange continues to grow our close contact with universities across the country.
It’s one more way Orange is leading the future of tech…
Not just with infrastructure, but with people.
Opening minds & opening doors
Beyond the labs and data centres, many students left with a new idea of what telecom is, and where their own future might fit in.
“I used to think Orange was just about cables and connections. But seeing the software side, the architecture behind it all, the services… it gave me a whole new perspective.”
Some even stuck around longer than expected. They weren’t done exploring.
“The atmosphere was really welcoming. It actually made me feel like I could see myself working here one day. The whole visit left an impression.”
Hands-on from the start
Students stepped right into the physical side of telecom. One of the most exciting parts of the experience? The workshops. Exploring how telecom works from the inside, from how networks are set up and tested, to a closer look at the distribution structure and how in-home connectivity is optimised…
They examined real hardware and saw how Orange pushes systems to their limits to ensure performance and reliability. It truly was a crash course in how tech meets real-world application!
“You think you know what a telecom company does… Until you see it from the inside. For me, the Wi-Fi and 5G experiences were the most impressive. I didn’t expect to be fascinated by that side so much.”
From signal to screen: tech in motion
For many, the biggest surprise wasn’t just the tech… It was seeing how all the pieces fit together. Backend systems, signal flows and media platforms… Finally a real view of the full telecom puzzle! And most importantly? They heard directly from the people who keep it running.
One of the standout moments was visiting Orange’s high-security data centre. An impressive server room filled with network and storage systems, built for 24/7 redundancy (one connection takes over if the other fails). Every part of the installation is designed to keep critical services running (even during incidents) for individuals, governments, and businesses. It offered a powerful reminder of just how vital telecom is in daily life.
Streaming, signals, and system-scale thinking
Our visitors also discovered that Orange Belgium offers a lot more than just internet and mobile. They got a closer look at how entertainment is delivered. Think exclusive content via Be tv, to the systems that make sure everything streams smoothly. Behind it all is the Network Operations Center, where Orange teams monitor services in real time and keep the digital experience running without interruption.
“What we learn in class is one thing. But seeing it in the field? That’s when it really clicked. The scale, the detail, the systems… It’s another world.”
Curious about your next step in tech?
From site visits to real projects, Orange Belgium offers students and young graduates opportunities to go beyond the classroom. Find out more about Orange Belgium’s initiatives for students and graduates:
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