Orange and Google have announced a partnership to deliver mobile internet content across Orange’s African and Middle Eastern footprint.
The package is tailored to meet the needs of the market, combining Orange’s network reach with Google’s mobile applications. Customers across the Orange MEA footprint will now have access to a range of online services including popular content covering fashion, sport and music, as well as everyday tools such as Google Search, YouTube and Google Maps.
Orange has seen some success with its smartphone offering in the region, and the partnership will follow up on this by addressing the mass market in Africa and the Middle East. Through an educational campaign, customers will be offered advice to better understand the benefits and direct value mobile internet can provide. Vernacular languages, such as Arabic, will be supported to enrich the customer experience, with additional languages to be added throughout the year.
The digital communication package is competitively priced; starting at $40 a month, customers will be able to receive a high-specification smartphone and a communication bundle with voice, SMS and data. The tariff is aimed at the youth demographic, who typically have high data usage and appreciate having the latest-generation smartphone.
The offer will be delivered in a phased approach and will start to roll-out across the full Orange MEA footprint in Q2 this year. The device will launch with the native set of Google services and the goal of the partnership is to develop local services and content over time.
“As the first pan-Africa and Middle East mobile partnership with Google on this scale, we are able to bring direct value to our customers by offering the best access and services to ensure they get the most out of the mobile internet,” says Yves Maitre, Executive Vice President of Connected Objects and Partnerships, Orange.
Richard Turner, Director Android Partnerships for Europe, the Middle East and Africa says: "Today, over three billion people across the world are using the internet to live better, richer lives and create opportunities for themselves and their communities. The driving force behind this growth - particularly in Africa and the Middle East - is smartphones. We are very excited to work with Orange to bring together data services, content and a high quality Android device to provide a great experience for first-time or experienced smartphone users.”
