Reuters has an interesting article about Orange and its UK strategy. The France Telecom owned mobile operator is set to open more shops, reduce its reliance on Indian-based customer service centres and invest in a new high-speed network, according to the new Chief Executive Tom Alexander. In addition, the plan is to combine its mobile and fixed-line broadband arms to develop new services and products such as laptops.
The changes will result in 500 new jobs in customer service and retail by the end of the year and a reduction of up to 450 positions in administration, management and support functions. 60 new stores will be opened across the country to add to the existing 338 outlets.
Orange also plans to improve coverage by rolling out 450 new 2G base stations, while at the same time investing further in the faster networks. Next year, the mobile operator will launch its super-fast 14Mbps mobile network.
“If you look at sales of dongles (mobile Internet) at the moment, it’s a great growth area. Now, people are expecting Internet access wherever they are and that’s where we think we’ve got a great advantage in having fixed and mobile,” Alexander told reporters on a conference call.
[Via: Reuters]