Dec 07/Jan/08

Underlining the increasing significance attached by mobile phone networks to Wi-Fi technology, Orange is the latest communications company to sign up to give customers Internet access via the network of public Wi-Fi hotspots operated by The Cloud, which claims to be Europe's leading wireless broadband provider.

Orange already has Wi-Fi agreements in place with BT OpenZone, France Telecom and WeRoam. It says that customers in the UK now have access to more than 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots.

Orange is not the first mobile network to sign up with The Cloud. O2 and BT already offer access with some of their tariffs. According to Anthony Keyworth, director of products for Orange Business Services: 'Our business customers É are less worried about who owns the infrastructure, and more interested in a service that works effectively.'

Orange's Wi-Fi access is offered with the company's Business Everywhere mobile data card offering. Users get a single datacard that can access several of the Wi-Fi, HSDPA, 3G, EDGE, GPRS and 2G networks available, automatically choosing the fastest connection possible.

 

Elsewhere, Orange has been working with GNER to develop on-train Wi-Fi solutions, and with Virgin Trains to provide passengers with an advanced 3G service during their journey.