Orange peels wraps off mobile Wi-Fi

Orange will offer consolidated billing for data usage across UMTS, GPRS and Wi-Fi

Mobile operator Orange has revealed plans to embrace Wi-Fi with the launch of its Business Everywhere strategy, offering consolidated billing for data usage across UMTS, GPRS and Wi-Fi, with one contract, one bill and one customer point of contact.

Under the initiative, which is available from January, the operator will move away from the traditional method of charging per megabyte, instead offering cash bundles of data usage which allow total flexibility in mixing the use of Wi-Fi, 3G and GPRS.

The tariff will include country specific flat rates, whether users are in the UK or roaming abroad, with Orange's European partners in the FreeMove Alliance participating alongside its worldwide partners.

In advance of the launch of Business Everywhere, Orange will unveil its own network of Wi-Fi hotspots on 19 December in partnership with Orange France, BT Openzone and WeRoam.

Orange said that these will provide business customers with access to around 1,700 hotspots across the UK and over 12,000 internationally, including airport lounges, hotels, coffee shops, train stations and other major transport hubs.