Orange was among the first UK providers of mobile phone services in the UK, operating as part of Hutchinson Telecoms in the early 1990s. Having launched the brand successfully in other countries, Orange was sold to Mannesman AG, owners of Vodafone at the end of the decade, before being sold on to France Telecom, owners of Freeserve/Wanadoo internet.
Since then, the company has been keen to make best use of the technology available, being the first UK provider to offer 'smart phone' services to both business and individual customers. It has also made use of its expertise across internet and mobile phones, by combining the two to become one of the key competitors in the UK mobile broadband market.
This allows users to access internet services via a personal computer, using a wireless network card or a USB modem, although some lap top computers now have wireless broadband connectivity already installed. The data for mobile broadband is carried across Orange's 3G mobile phone network (this is the upgraded network that allows the use of extra services on mobile phones, such as video calling).
However, Orange mobile broadband is operated separately from the company's mobile phone services - customers do not have to be a user of an Orange phone or Orange land line broadband to take advantage of mobile broadband.
The company currently offers their mobile broadband service on two different types of arrangement - stand alone broadband, or with a compatible computer included. Most of the options available for broadband only are on an 18 month or 1 month contract, which offers maximum speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps, which is the same for all packages, with the actual speed varying only by the area where you are situated.
The difference between price plans is instead reflected in the download limit available or contract length. Another difference between price plans is the inclusion or otherwise of a mobile broadband modem. This is not always included in the cheaper monthly price plans, and is currently £29.99 extra for those choosing the cheapest price plan.
However, Orange frequently produces special offers where this is included free on all packages, and it is also worth noting that most new laptops or netbooks may already be wireless enabled. The other option for 'internet only' from Orange, is a 30 day plan. This means you are free to leave the agreement each month, whilst still having a set download limit (currently 1GB, 2GB or 10 GB). The drawback of these is that they are generally charged around £5 a month more than the 18 month equivalent, and the USB modem will not be free.
The other option Orange have introduced is broadband with a computer included. These are usually on a 24 month contract only, but offer more flexible options in respect of monthly usage. Orange also offer cut price deals for customers taking Orange mobile broadband at the same time as an Orange mobile phone. Although higher speeds are not available at present, the company has stated it hoped to offer an up to 14 mbps service in future: the maximum that the current 3G networks can offer.
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