Orange UK and data. Absolutely ridiculous. Again!

By on May 30, 2008 in News

So here I am again commenting on Orange and data.

Whilst we’ve had some educational fireworks with Vodafone over the past few days, at least it works. At least the company is committed to mobile data. At least they’re talking about it — more than that, they’re advertising the hell out of it.

Orange, on the other hand. Dear me. I went into the Orange shop again. I’m a strong believer in paying for stuff (especially if I’m going to be hammering it here on the site). I should, I reckon, at least experience it, no? I’m going to pop into the shop downstairs later and get an N82.

Dan Ilett, editor of Greenbang and my partner in blog services firm, Tollejo Media, sits opposite me. When he’s not writing for the FT or The Telegraph, he’s doing media training or advising clients on how to manage their blog relations. He’s got an Orange-branded Nokia N95. It works. It’s got a data capability. He doesn’t like the Orange interface that they’ve invented and stuck over the standard Nokia one. But he appears satisfied. The only issue, when I see him QIKing I have a virtual heart attack wondering what crazy amounts of money it’s costing him.

Because data clearly isn’t Orange’s forte. Not at all. I picked up a copy of their brochure when I was in the store earlier. I’ve just had a flick through it. Shocking. Hardly a mention AT ALL of mobile data or even mobile browsing. This is MAY 2008. It’s all about text messages and minutes. I find this unreal.

Orange

So much so I’ve used The Flip to do a video to show you how crazy it is:

About Ewan

Ewan is Founder and Editor of Mobile Industry Review. He writes about a wide variety of industry issues and is usually active on Twitter most days. You can read more about him or reach him with these details.
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  • http://14sandwiches.com MartinSFP

    Britain's Got Talent? Either you're making some analogy between a dancing kid and Orange or you've embedded the wrong clip! Don't you mean this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMmqHTpAnjk :)

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com smstextnews

    Changed it!

  • jimwild

    I'm ditching Orange as soon as I can. As a customer of over 8 years who spends on average well over

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com smstextnews

    Looks like Orange need a Vodafone-Style forum intervention team?

  • http://s60blogger.com SteveRowlands

    I was in pretty much the same situation as you. Upgraded a few times a year, recruited all my friends to Orange etc etc…. not anymore.

    I'm now on Three, PAYG….. their “stretch your top up” feature fits my lifestyle just right at the moment, plus I'm not restrained to a contract anymore, so if they piss me off, I move networks.

  • http://www.techwinter.com Roger Kondrat

    Obvious? Ewan we have all laughed for what nearly two years (I know you and I have) at the foolish incompetence of the Networks at not addressing our discussions which are legitimate issues and so forget glorifying Vodafone, they dragged their heels.

    I would say that thanking them for stepping up to the long vacant plate is more than enough.

  • drm256

    I've got an unlimited bundle on my E65, (1gb fair use of course) for

  • http://s60blogger.com SteveRowlands

    Last time I checked (about 2 months ago) that

  • Finlay

    Is there an Oulook non vendor specific plug in available on the market? Eh?

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com smstextnews

    For sending texts via Outlook?

  • drm256

    Here's all the data related lines from my bill….

    Orange World Browsing : 17 May – 16 Jun 6.81

    Data charges 0.00

    Data Summary
    Total megabytes 18.8435

    Orange World Browsing : Unlimited browsing
    Megabytes available at beginning of period 1000.0000
    Service Plan megabytes next period 1000.0000
    Megabytes available next period 1000.0000

    data charges
    Originating network Place called Call class Megabytes Cost
    Orange Orange Internet Data 18.8435 0.000
    Total exc. VAT

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com smstextnews

    Nay bad, nay bad

  • http://www.greenbang.com Dan Ilett

    It's nuts – that's what it is.

    Orange, one of the biggest mobile providers in the world, fails to keep up with some of the best tools available on mobile phones – QIK being the most recent example.

    The company's data rates are expensive. For some reason Orange has disabled half of the functions on my Nokia N95 – and now I've been in Ireland for a week, I'm dreading the phone bill for the little bit of roaming I did.

    First chance I get to move networks, I'm off. The is question – where?

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com smstextnews

    That's a decision and a half. Voda or 3, I reckon?

  • http://www.phonething.com Alex Kerr

    Ah, appears Orange is one of those old school operators where data is this horrible new fangled thing you don't want to worry about, sir … have a look at this SMS and call package instead. Internet on phones eh? Whatever next!? But still, if you MUST have it, well, it's a premium service, very expensive to provide and new and complicated. That'll be

  • http://www.adonisdemon.com Abul

    I never really liked their animal pricing, it doesn't give you any info. Imagine how a NORMOB feels when looking through their price plans? Instead of simplifying it, they've complicated it even more.

  • http://www.adonismobile.com Abul

    I never really liked their animal pricing, it doesn't give you any info. Imagine how a NORMOB feels when looking through their price plans? Instead of simplifying it, they've complicated it even more.

  • http://www.phonething.com Alex Kerr

    Ah, appears Orange is one of those old school operators where data is this horrible new fangled thing you don't want to worry about, sir … have a look at this SMS and call package instead. Internet on phones eh? Whatever next!? But still, if you MUST have it, well, it's a premium service, very expensive to provide and new and complicated. That'll be £100 per kilobyte sir, and think yourself lucky!

  • http://www.adonisdemon.com Abul

    I never really liked their animal pricing, it doesn't give you any info. Imagine how a NORMOB feels when looking through their price plans? Instead of simplifying it, they've complicated it even more.

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