Orange UK has signed three new MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) contracts with Unicom, Catalyst and Axis Telecom. The deals, which cover the operator’s 2G and 3G networks, were signed on the Orange Partner Platform via its mobile virtual network aggregator, Transatel. Orange’s 3G network currently covers over 93% of the UK population. All three MVNO’s are expected to launch in the first half of this year.  Thanks to Transatel, the companies are able to launch as an MVNO in just six weeks.

Orange has today announced that it has signed three new mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs); Unicom, Catalyst and Axis Telecom. These deals have been secured on the Orange Partner Platform via Transatel, Orange’s mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA). This demonstrates Orange’s commitment to expanding MVNO opportunities in the UK and builds on the company’s five* existing MVNO partnerships.

These MVNOs will benefit from Orange’s extensive GSM network which reaches 99% of the UK population and Orange’s 3G network which currently covers over 93% of the UK population - more than any other network. This will enable:

• Unicom, the fixed line service provider, to launch as a B2B MVNO selling mobile services, initially to its existing base of some 80,000 customers, and will provide billing for both fixed and mobile services on the same invoice.
• Catalyst to provide mobile services through partners, for niche groups such as students, ethnic minorities and SMEs.
• Axis Telecom, to provide a mobile offering to its current customer base of over 14,000 businesses and residential customers through a number of SIM only deals.

All three MVNO’s are expected to launch in the first half of this year.

Furthermore, with Transatel’s speed to market, companies are able to launch as an MVNO in just six weeks – making it quicker, easier and more cost-effective than ever before. This is expected to appeal to telecom resellers targeting both the SME and residential market and companies that have either a brand distribution network or installed customer base that would like to become an MVNO.

Marc Overton, Vice President of Wholesale, Business Development & Partnerships at Orange UK, said: “Orange has very ambitious plans to become the network partner of choice for new and existing MVNOs. This latest news shows that we are well on our way to achieving this and our ambition to have twenty new MVNO’s on the Orange network by the end of the year.

“It clearly demonstrates that there are untapped opportunities for telecoms services across business and consumer sectors. Through our partnership with Transatel, we are making it even easier for communities and companies of all sizes to enter the exciting mobile market”

Jacques Bonifay, CEO at Transatel also commented: “We are pleased to announce our first three partnerships signed on behalf of Orange UK. For companies looking to launch their own mobile offering in the UK and also in other European countries, we believe we are the right partner as we broaden the availability, ease and speed with which MVNOs can come to market.”

* Existing Orange MVNO’s include Globalcell, Lycamobile, IDT, H3G national roaming and Cable&Wireless national roaming.

About Orange
Orange is the key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With 131.8 million customers, the Orange brand now covers internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates.

In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population, and 3G coverage to more than 93%. At the end of December 2009, Orange had more than 17.4 million customers in the UK – 16.5 million active mobile customers and approximately 900,000 fixed line internet customers. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.

For more information please call the Orange Press Office 0870 3731500, or visit
www.orange.co.uk/newsroom

About Transatel

Transatel is a “Mobile Enabler” (or MVNE – MVNO Enabler) dedicated to deliver value to Mobile Users, Mobile Service Providers (MVNO) and GSM operators (MNO). Transatel offers: Turn-key solution & methodology for economic players wishing to deploy and market mobile services under their own brand; Infrastructure & services for GSM operators to easily integrate new Mobile Service Providers (or MVNO) or launch a differentiated co-marketing offers; An innovative approach to mobile service differentiation. Transatel tools & processes integrate into the existing environment from the MVNO and the MNO. Depending on the MVNO’s needs, Transatel services cover: order entry management, provisioning, billing (post-paid & prepaid), CRM, SIM card and value added services. Transatel’s solution runs on a mutualised MVNE platform, ensuring scalability and cost optimisation. Transatel’s MVNE platform is currently deployed and is live on 7 European GSM networks with more in the works.