Orange’s enterprise arm has launched the first in a series of “smart resorts”, bringing free Wi-Fi, big data analytics and a bespoke app to an Alpine ski resort.
Orange Business Services said it wanted to enhance the experience of visitors to the Montgenèvre resort, increase the services available to residents and visitors and also boost the economy and tourism sector of the town, which is one of France’s oldest ski resorts.
The app, available for iOS and Android devices, offers real-time ski information such as details about ski lifts, piste opening times in winter or golf courses during other parts of the tourist season. It is available in French, English and Italian and comes in a summer and winter version.
Users can also check snow reports, avalanche warnings and real-time conditions via piste-side webcams. Interactive maps allow users to explore routes in 3D and check its slope, length and difficulty.
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Customised services, such as bus schedules and local activities can also be sent to users based on their own interests.
The town can take advantage of Orange’s Flux Vision solution to track population flow during the year or a particular event. The solution collects and uses anonymised data from Orange’s mobile network. The operator said it hopes the information can be used to improve tourist services across the resort.
Visitors and residents are also able to go online via 31 mobile hotspots across the town.
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Guy Hermitte, Mayor of Montgenèvre (Hautes-Alpes region), said: “For Montgenèvre, becoming a Smart Resort means offering better living conditions and leisure activities for all users of the resort, be they tourists or residents. It strengthens economic and social activity in our region and responds to the challenges of the city of the future, but in a sustainable way.”