From left to right: Christophe Lentz, head of the Repair Center and Frédéric Martin, specialist repairer.
At POST Luxembourg, giving telecoms equipment a new lease of life is part of a wider ambition: to create value for society whilst contributing to a more responsible world.
Through this series of profiles, discover the men and women who bring this commitment to life every day.
“Being able to receive, repair and return an iPhone within the same day”
Extending the lifespan of a smartphone means reducing its environmental impact whilst preserving its practical value.
The team at POST Telecom’s Repair Centre works every day to make this ambition a reality.
Every smartphone is packed with cutting-edge technology, but also contains valuable resources, the extraction and processing of which have a significant environmental impact. Against this backdrop, extending the lifespan of devices is now one of the most effective ways to reduce the digital footprint.
At POST Telecom, the work carried out by the Repair Centre team contributes to this cause. For Christophe Lentz, head of the department, and Frédéric Martin, a specialist repair technician, every device that is refurbished represents much more than a simple repair: it is a tangible way of contributing to a more responsible use of technology.
Giving devices a new lease of life
Based at POST Telecom’s premises on Rue Emile Bian in Cloche d’Or, the Repair Centre team receives damaged smartphones handed in by customers on a daily basis. Their aim, therefore, is to restore the devices to working order to avoid premature replacement. “Our role is to diagnose every device we receive, to repair it, but also to advise users on best practices that will help extend its lifespan,” explains Christophe Lentz.
This mission is a natural part of POST Telecom’s after-sales service, but it also addresses a broader challenge: reducing resource consumption by prioritising repair over systematic replacement.
Local expertise in the service of sustainability
To provide the best possible support to its customers, POST Telecom has, over the years, developed recognised expertise in the field of repairs. Since 2023, the Repair Centre has held accreditation enabling it to carry out certified repairs to Apple devices directly on site. “Depending on the brand, some repairs still require the device to be sent back to the manufacturer or another authorised centre. This can involve significant journeys, sometimes simply to replace a battery. Being able to carry out repairs locally allows us to respond more quickly whilst minimising these journeys,” explains Frédéric Martin.
This ability to carry out repairs locally helps to reduce the environmental impact of transporting devices whilst offering a faster service to customers.
Precision work
POST Telecom was, in fact, the first European operator to obtain Apple repair certification, a recognition that testifies to the level of expertise developed by its teams.
At the Repair Center, repair technicians work with the precision of a watchmaker to restore damaged or worn-out devices to working order. When replacing a cracked screen, a faulty camera, a battery or a worn-out electronic component, they draw on a vast stock of certified genuine parts to ensure the devices’ performance and reliability are maintained. “Today, we are able to receive, repair and return a damaged iPhone within a single day, much to our customers’ satisfaction,” emphasises Christophe Lentz.
To further encourage repairs, POST Telecom also offers an insurance scheme covering repair costs as well as the loan of a replacement device whilst the repair is being carried out. “The smartphone has become indispensable in everyday life. Our customers need it to communicate, but also to access a wide range of digital services. When a repair can take several days, or even several weeks, we need to offer alternative solutions,” he adds.
Changing perceptions of smartphone lifespans
Habits are gradually changing. Whereas devices used to be replaced every two or three years, many users are now looking to keep them for longer. “The main motivation isn’t always environmental; it’s often financial,” observes Frédéric Martin. “Smartphones now represent a significant investment. Customers are therefore paying closer attention to their maintenance and repairs.”
This shift has also been made possible by the progress made by manufacturers. “Devices have become much more reliable and durable than before. Manufacturers have also improved their design to make repairs easier and achieve better repairability ratings,” adds Christophe Lentz.
Thanks to these developments, a smartphone can now remain fully functional for seven or eight years, provided it continues to receive software security updates.
A tangible contribution to the CSR approach
The Repair Centre’s impact cannot be measured solely by the number of repairs carried out. Every repair helps to extend a device’s life cycle and avoid the consumption of new resources.
Replaced parts, particularly batteries, are sent to specialist recycling schemes. As for repaired devices, they often go on to have a second life. “It is not uncommon for a customer to keep their old phone to pass it on to a child or a relative after buying a new model,” explains Frédéric Martin.
3,700 repairs in 2025
For Christophe Lentz, this mission makes perfect sense: “POST Telecom’s primary purpose is not to sell smartphones, but to enable everyone to access connectivity services. Whether a device is new or old, the important thing is that it continues to fulfil its function for as long as possible.”
In 2025, the Repair Centre team carried out nearly 3,700 repairs. In 2026, they have already surpassed this figure, with 4,800 repairs carried out to date. These figures illustrate not only the importance of this activity, but also the day-to-day commitment of staff such as Christophe, Frédéric and their colleagues, who are convinced that extending the lifespan of digital devices is one of the most effective ways to promote a more responsible digital future.
