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7th December 2004 - Orange delivers 3G to consumers,
offering:
UKs broadest 2G/3G integrated network:
3G coverage available to 70% of the UK population with
seamless 2G/3G handover
Most comprehensive handset launch portfolio:
Four available on day of launch, two to follow shortly
Faster, personalised access to Orange World,
with Orange also opening up the mobile Internet: exclusive
video entertainment and information services, email,
and Internet access
Dynamic new communications services: Orange Video
Calling comes with Orange Video Answerphone
Aggressive Early Adopter tariffs:
12 month contracts start from just £30 per month
which includes voice, text, Orange Video Calling, Orange
World, Internet and email access
Dedicated customer services support: Free 24-hour
3G customer services hotline and more than 2,000 phone
trainers in Orange shops nationwide
3G Roaming and UK network interoperability from
launch: video call with friends and family regardless
of 3G network provider
Orange, one of UKs largest mobile communications
company, announced the launch of its next generation
services for consumers, giving customers access to the
broadest integrated UK 2G/3G network, the choice of
a wide range of handsets, exclusive video entertainment
and information services through Orange World, fast
access to the mobile Internet and email, easy-to-understand
pricing and dedicated customer service support.
Todays announcement follows the launch of the
Mobile Office Card for businesses in the summer, and
was complimented by a simultaneous launch of 3G services
by Orange in France.
More than 2,000 consumer trialists have been using
the Orange UK network since it went live in July 2004,
and over 10,000 people have already registered their
interest in Orange UKs 3G consumer services.
Bernard Ghillebaert, Executive Vice President of Orange
UK, said: This week we launch our next generation
services in Orange shops across the UK, offering customers
a wide range of handsets, exciting new services, the
largest and broadest integrated network in the country
and most importantly, the best customer care.
This is just the start of the 3G evolution. Throughout
2004 we have been making sure that the building blocks
are in place so that 2005 opens up a new world of mobility
for our customers. Our customers can now access more
services faster, and keep in touch in more ways than
ever before.
Network
Orange has the UKs broadest integrated 2G/3G network,
with 70% of the population covered by its 3G network,
ensuring that even if customers move out of 3G coverage,
they will not lose connection to the network. Orange
has 3G coverage in major cities including London, Manchester,
Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham,
Liverpool, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Leeds, as well as
popular locations such as business parks, mainline intercity
railway stations, motorway service stations, airports,
conference centres, and hotels.
Handsets
Orange has announced six handsets in its launch portfolio
the LG U8150, the Sony Ericsson Z1010, the Sanyo
S750, the Samsung Z107, the Nokia 6630 and the Motorola
C975. The LG, Sony Ericsson, Sanyo and Samsung phones
will all be available at launch in stores nationwide
and online (see appendix below for pricing details).
Orange World
Orange has developed a broad portfolio of content accessible
through the Orange World 3G portal all of which
can be personalised to ensure that it is relevant for
the customer. Entertainment and information services
include Sky News video feeds (updated every five hours);
exclusive video clips from the Star Wars films (including
previews of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith);
film trailers and movie clips from The Incredibles,
Shrek and other cinema blockbusters; music and ringtone
downloads from Warner music, EMI, BMG, Universal Music,
Ministry of Sound; console-style games including Tom
Clancys Splinter Cell, EA Sports FIFA 2005
and Tiger Woods PGA® Tour 2005; exclusive inside
access to Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool as well as a host
of other football clubs; and practical applications
such as Traffic TV. The service, launched exclusively
by Orange and developed in conjunction with Trafficmaster
and regional road transport agencies, gives customers
a comprehensive picture of traffic conditions on the
UK's motorways and trunk roads and direct access to
video of road conditions from selected motorway CCTV
cameras across the UK.
Email and Internet access
While Orange World contains a vast amount of news, information
and entertainment, customers are not restricted to the
portal they have easy access to mobile email
and the mobile Internet, which includes sites such as
Google, BBC, Amazon, Ebay and Eurosport.
Orange customers can also use their new 3G handset
as a modem, enabling them to access the Internet via
their laptop. While all of the handsets can be used
as a modem via a USB cable, many offer completely wirefree
connection, through infrared and Bluetooth.
Orange Video Calling
Oranges 3G offering also provides new ways for
customers to communicate with each other. The Orange
Video Calling service comes with Orange Video Answerphone,
allowing customers to leave a more personal, expressive
message.
Tariffs
Orange has developed a set of early adopter
tariffs, giving its first 3G customers a chance to experience
all of these exciting new next generation services
such as video calling and 3G film clips. Until the end
of January 2005, customers can sign up to a 12 month
contract from just £30 a month. As well as voice
minutes and texts, the monthly charge includes access
to Orange World, email and the Internet (up to 50mb),
as well as 60 minutes of free video calls per month.
(see appendix below for more information on pricing).
Dedicated Customer services
Orange believes educating and supporting customers will
be essential to the success of these new services. Therefore
Orange has developed a dedicated customer services support
team to help customers get the most out of their new
handset and services. Customers simply dial the new
number from their Orange 3G phone for free 24 hour customer
service. Over 2,000 Orange Phone Trainers are also on
hand in Orange shops nationwide to demonstrate the benefits
of 3G to customers and help them with any questions
they may have. Once a customer has purchased a phone,
they will also configure the handset for email and personalise
their Orange World home page.
Roaming and interoperability
Orange UK customers will also be able to use 3G services
in seven other countries France, Spain, Italy,
Germany, Portugal, Finland, Austria with more
being added over the coming months. Orange customers
can already use voice and text services on 357 networks
in 148 countries worldwide.
Orange 3G services will also be interoperable with
all other UK operators who have launched 3G services,
meaning that customers can make video calls and send
content to friends over 3G, even if they are on a different
3G network.
Bernard Ghillebaert added: Were launching
with the UKs broadest integrated 3G network, exciting
new services, unique and personalised content through
Orange World, dedicated customer support and more handsets
than anyone else has offered on the first day of launch.
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