LONDON-European wireless operator Orange launched commercial UMTS-based services in the United Kingdom and France. The launch trails similar launches in the U.K. by rivals 3 and Vodafone Group plc, but is ahead of planned launches by T-Mobile UK and Mm02 plc. Rival SFR also has launched UMTS services in France.
Orange said it will offer the LG U8150, Sony Ericsson Z1010, Sanyo S750 and Samsung Z107 handsets initially in support of the UMTS launch, with plans to add the Nokia 6630 and Motorola C975 handsets in the near future.
Orange said its network covers 70 percent of the population in the U.K. and that the handsets will be interoperable with the carrier’s GSM-based network for roaming. Customers also can roam on UMTS networks in Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Finland and Austria.
Orange said it expects to sign up 10,000 customers in France by the end of the year and nearly 2 million customers in the U.K. by the end of 2007.
