Orange 3G October 1st

[99900]

I have been into 2 seperate Orange stores today and both said the 1st October has launch for the Z1010 and 8150 on orange 3G.

I was shown a official orange memo regarding this with the date on. I was also advised not to listen to orange CS because they are not clued up on the launch dates because they are not classed as the frontline with regards sales. Seems daft to me

Anyway we will see.

PS

All I asked was when the launch of the 2 phones plus3G service and I was told exact information I did not mention any date to them.

I was also given a discount card for an upgrade. May be worth poping into your local ORange store.

ORange CSR can you supply an information regarding this

[3G fan]

Maybe the future is bright!!(no its Orange).:D

[Gunner]

Sounds hopeful.

Did I not say all the signs were pointing at a Oct 1st launch date, regardless of trial not being complete? :D

Anyway, I originally said mid July and it turned out to be the datacard only, so I wont get too cocky!!

*fingers crossed*

*toes crossed*

etc - will pop into an Orange shop in the week.

[Ukim]

Funny my local says Z1010 wont be 'til December at the earliest.
Confusing ???

[Wildgoose]

I think both handsets will be released beginning of next month.
It always the case that when new handsets are shown on their website,they are usually released within a month.
I will signing up to one.

[A1c]

I concur with the above. Its very unlikely that Orange would advertise the products if they did not already have launch quantities in stock or en-route.

I expect a soft launch in October with the focus on existing high-end users to upgrade. Its certain that there will be quite a few people who will sign up for one of these on Orange to experience something better in terms of content than has previously been available.

[Tom M]

Will they be selling SIMs on their own as well as phones? And what's it likely to cost?

[A1c]

Doubt if they will sell USIM's on their own but you could ask. As for pricing I expect some minor revision of the existing 'Your Plans' including some attractive videocalling offers but nothing like the giveaway contract deals that 3 need to offer to aquire new customers.

[Tom M]

Thanks 3GSU :D

So, if can't get a USIM and want to connect to Orange 3G (PAYG) on an unlocked A835, would it work to select it from the Networks Available menu?

[A1c]

You will need an Orange USIM to access their 3G services. Its doubtful that Orange will offer PAYG initially. You can still use an Orange SIM in a A-835 and get all of the usual GSM services plus Orange World of course meantime.

[Tom M]

Many thanks :D

I've got an O2 GSM SIM I can use until I can get an Orange PAYG 3G SIM so I'm happy about leaving 3 anyhow :D

[Gunner]

I just called the Orange Shop via the number on their website.

The guy looked for a date for me on the Z1010 and U8150, but couldn't find one. He said he knew they were going to be released in October, but couldn't give me an exact date.

I tried to call Upgrades on 150 to see if they knew anything more, but after 10 minutes queued I gave up. My experience with Orange is that if you don't get through within the first five minutes, you're not going to get through :mad: Wish they'd sort it out.

[99900]

Phoned CS tonight and was advised the date 1st Octover without evening mentioning the date to them (best way to do it)

Asked about the long wait times and was advised shift changes were happening.

ORANGE CRS

CAn you confirm any of this you have gone very quite

[Gunner]

How on earth did you get through!?

I chose option 6, option 2 (Speak to CSR, handset). It's been over 10 mins now!

Edit: Ok... got through... the man said he couldn't hear me and cut me off. It doesn't look like he's calling back either. Any ideas? That really isn't acceptable...

[3gtrooper]

Hi,

According to one orange shop in Reading it's december but I was told October

[Wildgoose]

Relating to reports regarding Orange 3G sevices,it claimed that its a milestone compared to current 3 network.
What is known that Orange always innovative when it comes to new handsets ie Treo 600 and Spv's.
I hope "Milestone" orange will take full avantage of its 3G network.
I'm sure they will.

[Gunner]

Indeed, I read on a site yesterday (the name escapes me) that Three UK had implemented an earlier version of the WCDMA standard that doesn't support 3G-2G call handover. Orange were reported to be using a much more recent version of the WCDMA standard. It could be absolute bull, as my own belief is that Three UK would never have been able to do a 3G-2G handover (given that the phone has to re-register and roam onto O2!), but meh, who knows.

Most "orange shops" people are posting about seem to be saying mid-Oct still... Why put the handsets on the online Orange Shop if they're not out for 3 months!

I don't think they can afford to leave it as late as xmas. They'll need some usage indications and time to iron out any problems before then.

[agent O]

so far (fingers crossed) i have had no calls drop on orange 3g with my z1010. i've noticed a few times while using hands free in the car that i have moved in and out of 3g coverage and my call is not droped

[Gunner]

That's excellent news :)

[Ukim]

abs0lutely,
the realist in me suggests that once you have bought a phone the likelihood is you will stick around and try it.

If Orange and the others were seriously about launching in October they would be at this forum and making it abundantly clear - like all speculator. They are prepared to gamble and let you spend your money.

They know if the service is not switched on you will be compliant and patient and will wait. And you will - go one buy a phone, you know you want too!!!!

[hotphil]

so far (fingers crossed) i have had no calls drop on orange 3g with my z1010

yep me too, quite whether they ever get through in the first place is another matter.

As for October (i.e. pre-Xmas) launch, is it worth pointing out that Vodafone were all over the news yesterday stating they were launching 3G before Xmas with 10 handsets? Orange won't want to let them get away with that, even if their service isn't fully ready yet...

[Gunner]

So Orange may have issues with call connection over 3G currently? I know you can't tell us more, but do if you can ;)

I think Orange will launch first in Oct, followed by Vodafone much closer to Christmas for the real shopping period. The difference now seems to be that Orange want to soft-launch their 3G handsets, where as Vodafone want to put them right out there to the mass market as stocking fillers.

[hotphil]

I don't know if Orange have problems with call connection over 3G - I haven't experienced that. What I do know is that a Z1010 on Orange is having issues moving from a 3G area to an area where it shows 80-100% 2G signal.
The issue being that when it moves from 3G to 2G (at 80-100%) it can't make or receive calls (voice or data). Occasionally, when moved back into 3G coverage it shows as having 2 and 3G signal but is still uncontactable.
The current advice from Orange is to not only power it off, but remove/replace the battery when this happens. Seriously.

Two issues with that:
1). the battery cover is actually very very hard to remove (at least for the first few goes)
2). as the phone always displays that it has service, the only way to know if it has or not is to try to make a call - taking remedial action to fix a fault you don't know exists is hard in any field!

I wouldn't mind if it said "no service", I'd think "hey-ho" and wait til I was back in coverage, but the fact that it lies is a bit of a bummer. I can replicate the "feature" each day walking along the same bit of road.
Whether it's the handset at fault or the network is something I'm not sure of.

[99900]

Ok just spoke to orange on 07973100156 or 156 from your handset. THis is orange wirefree support

THe guy said that the 3G service will launch from the 1st October.

SE Z1010 49.99 - 149.99
LG 8150 49.99 - 149.99

Could not confirm tarrifs but he did say orange are launching new "3G" tariifs for this.

He also said that the details would not be published before the 1st.

Does anyone else want to check the detials and report back

ORange CSR

You have gone very quite. Can you confirm this?

[Ukim]

Okay followed up the call to wirefree CS and got some interesting feedback.

Firstly, phoning that number the voice announcement offers 5 choices to press a different number 1,2,3,4...

None offer listener 3G. Its random selection. I chose 1 which is Video.

The guy at the end of the phone was triffic and very helpful. So a Gold Star for Orange for good manners

Orange has a 3G service at moment - but it is datacard and crude in its development. 3G will only be available in 7 cities - hardly 66% coverage. As he said everyone thinks 3G is about video. Suggested it would be better to wait until new year before going 3G video. He thought Video 3G being launched at end of October, laughed when I mention 1st October (so I guess there is some spam in this forum). No doubt people will come back and say they didn't say that - maybve but elusive enough not to say make it clear what they were saying.

The Z1010 is still under review (no info as to availability)
the LG model is still under review (no info as to availability)

[99900]

I have also just phoned back and was told no date confirmed.

I never said that 156 had a option for 3G.

So possably both be told wrong information. (Watch your Spam)

However the date of 1st October has been mentioned in 2 orange stores I have been in.

Look I think they is a massive rumour mill at the moment. But this place is a forum to report back on. So I think you should not flame somebody because they wanted to let the community know something he found out.

THis is how the conversation went

WHen is the consumer 3G service being launched?

October 1st.

Any idea on price of handsets?

SE 49.99 - 149.99
LG 49.99 - 149.99

What about tariffs
I have just had my training on this but not everyone has. I cant tell you anymore ok. All i know is that we will provide special 3G tariffs

I think that is very clear and not open to interpratation at all

[Ukim]

Jon3G, hope you don't think I was flaming you. Far from it. My local
Orange Shop confirmed to me that they would NOT give a date, so contact Orange CS. When I got back and saw your message it made sense to follow it up.

So I not moaning at you mate, just pointing out what I had found.

[99900]

no problem

Is getting very frustrating with all the infor flying around is it

[bcarty]

i was just wondering if any of u guys and girls know if u will be able to video call from orange to the 3 network

[99900]

Yes you can make video calls to other networks.

If you are orange customer and subscribe to orange world

Follow this and it may answer a few questions

Open Orange world from your Handset
Then click on

Orange world Help/costs (top of page)
Scroll down to New 3G section
Scroll down and click on 3G chat

Also in the 3G section is other stuff about services and in the 3G service section it tells you to call 156 for further information.

There are some questions and answers provided from Orange

If you ask about launch dates in there all you get is the service is coming in Autum 2004. I did post the information about 1st October and the phone prices in there but the post as not yet appeared (may be an indication).

Although if you ask about the service capabilaties you do get some straight answers.

Hope you find this useful

[bcarty]

thanks for that jon3g

[99900]

Very interesting reading


I think from this ORange will launch but they will leave the dealers out in the cold until next year. The reason I beleive is to ensure that stocks are ok


Orange delays full 3G launch
Sep 24, 2004

Orange will delay its full consumer 3G drive until 2005, in a further sign that operators are continuing to cool towards the new technology.

The chances of an all-guns-blazing 3G Christmas for retailers have all but disappeared; with Orange deciding on a low-key direct sales drive.

The operator is believed to be targeting 30,000-40,000 sales this side of the New Year, but will be concentrating stock in its own stores in the cities and towns in which it has the best coverage.

‘Given that we are days away from the start of October and there is no constructive channel plan, then maybe they are going to contain it to their own channels,’ said Phones 4u MD Peter Green. ‘Pressures with stock will be easier to contain that way.’

Dealers and distributors are becoming disillusioned with Orange’s lacklustre 3G story, in particular its focus on unexciting data cards.

The MD of one distributor said Orange sources had told him ‘not to expect anything this year’.

Another distributor said: ‘We keep waiting, but 3G is becoming a bit of a “no news” story. No-one has anything to say and no-one other than 3 is sticking their neck out. If I see another announcement about a 3G datacard… well, let’s just say that’s not what the world is waiting for.’

‘There is no information on price plans or advertising, and that means nothing is happening,’ said a third distributor.

He added: ‘3 is flying. Until all the operators are out there and there is real competition, [soft launches] won’t make any difference to us.’

Network problems and handset flaws have put the brakes on Vodafone’s plans for 3G this year. Orange could face even tougher challenges, as it has been rolling out its network more quickly this year and is thought to have had less time for testing.

Orange says it now has 66% population coverage, and has suggested in recent corporate briefings that it could reach 87% in 2005.


© Copyright 2004 Noble House Media Ltd


source
www.***********.co.uk

[99900]

I think the october thing is not happening

[Gunner]

Well it's not happening today, that's for sure.

[99900]

According to the October sales magazine

You can have a demo of the phones in store.

I dont know how true this is

[MJH]

The new Orange mag says

p24 "The future of mobile phones has arrived....." er no they haven't!!

"Just pop into into any Orange shop and a Phone Trainer will not only answer any queries you may have but you can also request a demonstration and have a play yourself." Maybe this is why I had a missed call on my mobile, inviting me to the Orange Shop to have a play :)

Lets hope so!!

[pazazamadaz]

I have been harrassing the Orange call centre staff and shop staff at their Holborn branch for several weeks now regarding their 3G phones. Finally I think I have the real story....

Yes you can go into some selected stores and have a play with the handsets. Howevery they probably won't have a Sim in them because they havent been activated. Thats why they haven't launched 3G services yet. I was told later this week they will have the problem sorted and be selling both handsets.

There will not be a big advertising campaign because there will be teething problems and they don't want negative press.

[99900]

Yes

That sounds about right.

They will more than likely have a massive advertisement push in November December.

Lets hope it does happen

[pazazamadaz]

I hope to have my Z1010 by the end of the week

[Gunner]

Don't get your hopes up too much... I've had my Z1010 since Friday... they still can't get it working ;)

[99900]

Wait a minute.

You said that the upgrade had been cancelled in a earley forum.

This was your comment in the post on Friday 1st August
Well guess what the outcome was

No one called me. I called Orange today at 8am and got the tracking number for parceline. Parceline didn't have the phone.

Called Orange back - upgrade had been cancelled.

Call wait times of over 30 minutes by 9am. Operator refused to escalate a complaint about either my upgrade mixup or the waiting times. He said the only way they can take a complaint is to note it to my account - but no one will ever see it.

Pretty peeved to be honest. Not a good way to treat paying customers. Nothing even resembling an appology for what has happened.

To add insult to injury, it's the rumoured launch date today - can pretty safely say that it's *not* happening. The guy reckoned it would have been impossible for me to get a Z1010 as they simply don't have any more than the 700 handsets distributed for the trial.


How have you got one when the upgrade team have not been able to process them.

Tell us all. so we can all get one

[pauljcarr]

Originally posted by Jon3G

This was your comment in the post on Friday 1st August


August? You mean October surely, or else I'm confused.

That aside I await an answer to your point with interest.

I spoke to an Orange shop in Belfast today and was advised that they don't have the Z1010, not even one. In contrast, the salesperson told me that she has a significant stock of the LG and they are only waiting for the nod to go live. She expects it very soon, but until it happens, they can't even demo the phone for me it seems.

Impatience is an awful thing!

[Gunner]

Hi,

I can't really say much Jon3G - if the phone had worked, I would have - but it doesn't, so I didn't. I received the handset some time after my post, despite the best efforts of Orange Upgrades.

There's no point trying to get hold of one until the problems are fixed. Either way, they wont be releasing any more 'accidentally' after the cockup they made with mine.

All I can say is that it's an amazing phone - really really stunning - and it'll make waves in the 3G marketplace. Three UK have missed out bigtime.

This phone has been a long time arriving - but it is absolutely worth the wait. It's fast, easy to use and lovely to hold.

[99900]

Well done mate really pleased for you.

Cant wait to get mine. You will have to tell me after how you got yours so quick.

[pazazamadaz]

How did you get your on Friday then?

You must have threatened them or something lol

[OrangeCSR2]

U will all be able to get urs if u are quick enough

stocks are limited and they wont be available in none Orange shops to start.

[pazazamadaz]

I have tried calling a few Orange shops here in London and none of them say the Z1010's have arrived and SIMs haven't either. They said they expected the Z1010's anytime now.

[OrangeCSR2]

Like I said

[hotphil]

Only took them 10 minutes to get mine working. Hope they get yours sorted soon.

[hotphil]

ignore the above - posted thinking page 1 was the end of the thread. Not really paying too much attention, I'll be going now. Must have been some unlucky thirteenth post thing that makes you look silly

[Gunner]

Hey, don't worry, it still applies! Thanks :)