Orange and Google sign strategic partnership

By combining the strength of Orange’s mobile network and mobile expertise with Google’s mobile applications, the move offers customers the best of both partners in terms of access and content through an all-inclusive digital communication package.

Orange and Google have come together to deliver a package that is tailored to meet the needs of the market. Customers across the Orange MEA footprint will now have access to a range of best-in-class online services including, but not limited to, popular content covering fashion, sport and music, as well as everyday tools such as Google Search, YouTube and Google Maps.

Bringing value to customers through enriched local content

The partnership will address the mass market for Orange in Africa and the Middle East, following Orange’s ongoing success of delivering smartphones across the region. Through an educational campaign, customers will be offered advice to better understand the benefits and direct value mobile internet can bring. Important information will be made accessible, for example, finding answers to questions instantly through Google Search or the ability to locate the nearest health clinic using Google Maps. 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 especially well-adapted to youth who have high data usage and want the latest generation smartphone. Customers will receive one of the most competitively priced tariff plans in the region starting at $40, which will consist of a high-specification smartphone and a communication bundle with voice, SMS and data.

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. “Through this all-inclusive digital communications package, we are proud to continue our promise to deliver affordable internet access across the region and connect people to what is essential in their lives.”

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.”

Orange Rise 31 Special Edition, 3G flagship device for Orange MEA

The affordable offer will launch on the Orange Rise 31 Special Edition, a new and exclusive Orange branded 3G device. As the flagship model of Orange’s 2016 smart family line-up for Orange MEA, it will be running on Google’s latest OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow, has a 4-inch screen and comes with the latest version of Orange Experience 8 to ensure a smooth and supportive smartphone experience.

The smartphone is a powerful quad-core product, boasts a high memory package (1GB RAM/8GB ROM) and will provide access to the full suite of Google Apps. Coming with a 3 mega pixel camera with LED flash and a 1500mAH battery, it will be the first Orange customised smartphone to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow at a low-price point.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Orange