Orange Broadband - A Brief Introduction

In 1994 Hutchison Telecom founded Orange Home Broadband which is now considered one of the top internet service providers in Europe. The color was chosen because it has a strong Feng Shui element and the logo was used to distinguish them from the citric fruit. In 2001, France Telecom bought the company and merged it with their existing mobile business. Up until 2006, the name, which was originally called Wanadoo, was changed to what it is today to simplify branding. With over 10 million subscribers across the UK, France, Poland, Equatorial Guinea, Spain, Senegal, Slovakia and Switzerland, their services extend beyond the Internet, landline, mobile and television services. They now offer news coverage and sponsorships across the UK. Since their start, the company has consistently tried to be environmentally friendly, a destination for a job-seeker and to support charitable causes.

Orange Home Broadband offers their customers a hassle-free environment with fast service. There are three different packages a customer can choose from if they want to subscribe to their network. Each package includes: eight Meg Internet speeds; free McAfee Privacy Service to protect a customer’s personal identification, children from viewing inappropriate images both online and on television and viruses or spyware from entering a computer; a CD explaining how to set up each service and free and 24 hour online support. The first package is called a “Home Starter” which includes the Internet for a low payment of 9.57 euros a month or free with any company mobile plan. It includes a wireless router which allows the user to move around the house while still being connected and calls to all UK landlines weekends and evenings.

Another package called “Home Select” and starts from 9.79 euros a month with a company mobile plan or otherwise from 19.75 euros a month. Included is the Internet, inclusive calls to UK landlines and 30 international destinations with a second line and a Livebox, which is a versatile wireless router. A customer can also hook their Xbox or Playstation to the box to connect to the Internet. The last package is called “Home Max” and starts at 13.97 euros a month or 4.18 euros a month (plus 10.50 euros for a line rental) with any company mobile plan. With this plan comes unlimited usage, a Livebox, their Xbox or Playstation can be hooked to it for the Internet, inclusive weekend and evening calls to all UK landlines and international calls.

In general, Orange provides customer satisfaction with its good Internet speeds and three different packages. However, there are several drawbacks. The first is 18 month contract a customer must agree to for each package. If this commitment is too big insist on a trial period and cancel if you are not happy. It may also help to surf their website before switching companies. And, although they claim their Internet speeds are 8 Megs, users may never obtain that speed. However, most customers within the company’s network gain speeds that are fast enough to satisfy their needs. The more expensive package will be the better choice if a customer is not within the company’s network.

By: Caroline Telford

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