UK / Japan : Orange has signed a contract with The Cloud, Europe's leading wireless broadband provider. The agreement will enable Orange customers to take advantage of The Cloud's network of thousands of WiFi hotspots across the UK. As a result of this deal, Orange now offers access to one of the UK's widest WiFi networks through its Orange WiFi Access service.

This agreement represents a further proof point in Orange's determination to provide the best network for business. "Our business customers want easy-to-use, secure communication. They are less worried about who owns the infrastructure and naturally more interested in a service that works effectively.

Partnering with The Cloud enables us to extend our high quality service to thousands more locations in an instant," said Anthony Keyworth, Director of Products, Orange Business Services. Orange already has WiFi agreements in place with BT OpenZone, France Telecom and WeRoam. In the UK this latest agreement extends Orange's WiFi access to more than 10,000 hotspots.

"The reach of our WiFi coverage is critical but the user experience is what really counts. Business Everywhere gives our customers a convenient, user friendly way of accessing our partners' WiFi networks and our other high-speed, mobile data networks," continued Anthony Keyworth. "We have numerous WiFi partners complementing a range of other wireless technologies, but no matter which network an Orange customer is using, the user interface and billing remains consistent." The Orange WiFi Access can be accessed through Orange's Business Everywhere mobile data card offering. This service includes a single datacard that can access several of the WiFi, HSDPA, 3G, EDGE, GPRS and 2G networks available, automatically choosing the fastest connection possible. WiFi connectivity will be bundled in some of Orange's new Business Everywhere plans in order to give users maximum flexibility for usage in the UK and abroad.

The expanded WiFi network complements Orange's work with GNER to develop on-train WiFi solutions and work with Virgin Trains to provide passengers with an advanced 3G service during their journey. Owen Geddes, Director of Business Development at The Cloud, commented: "Orange's commitment to WiFi demonstrates the importance of this technology to business customers who need fast, convenient access wherever they are. We're delighted that Orange will now be able to offer WiFi connectivity through The Cloud's unparalleled UK footprint which includes train stations, hotels, airports and major sporting venues." Earlier this year The Cloud switched on Europe's most comprehensive and advanced WiFi network across the entire of the City of London, giving the 350,000 people who work in and visit the area high speed wireless broadband access across the City.