Powered by SoftAtHome’s Always'ON software, the system eliminates the need for 4G dongles or dedicated mobile routers. When the Livebox 7 or Livebox S detects a fiber outage, it displays a QR code on its screen. Scanning this code guides the user through enabling their smartphone hotspot, which the gateway then claims to maintain network continuity for laptops, tablets, and smart TVs.

The transition is seamless. Once the smartphone is linked, the Livebox routes domestic traffic through the mobile connection. When the fiber line is restored, the gateway automatically reverts to the fixed network, terminating the mobile link. While streaming and general internet services remain active during the outage, fixed-line specific features like traditional landline telephony and multicast TV channels resume only once the fiber connection returns.

Orange is rolling out this feature remotely, targeting customers equipped with its latest Wi-Fi 7 hardware. Laurence Thouveny, Orange’s EVP of Customer Experience, described the move as a technological breakthrough aimed at bolstering network resilience. For SoftAtHome, the deployment marks a significant application of its gateway software, which is currently active in over 30 million homes globally.