Reports in the UK press indicate that Orange will offer very limited UMTS services this year, apparently abandoning plans to target the broader consumer and business market during the holiday selling season.
“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.
Most outlets are speculating that Orange will sell to selected business clients through its direct sales force, rather than drive consumers to its retail outlets, because it is having trouble getting its network to perform properly.
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