Orange develops MVNO platform

Orange UK is developing a platform to help new MVNOs launch on its networks in as little as six weeks.
 
Orange has contracted French MVN aggregator Transatel to sign up new MVNOs on its behalf, Orange said.
 
With the partnership, Orange could sign deals with as many as 20 MVNOs per year, the company added.
 
Orange has a GSM network which reaches 99% of the UK population, as well as the UK's largest 3G network, with 93% population coverage.
 
“Our ambition at Orange is to become the network partner of choice for new and existing MVNOs,” Orange VP of new business Marc Overton said.
 
Overton said he expects the deal to appeal to SMEs, telecom service resellers and brands eager to target niche communities.
 
“This partnership has been driven by market demand, as companies are increasingly realizing that offering telecoms services to their customers creates additional profitable growth and increased loyalty,” Overton said.
 
Transatel has already launched services in France and Belgium.
 
The announcement comes as Orange attempts to steer through its merger with T-Mobile UK, giving the new entity 28 million subscribers and a 37% market share.