Orange and The Cloud sign Wi-Fi pact

Orange business customers now have access to more than 10,000 hotspots across the UK

Orange customers in the UK are now able to take advantage of a further 7,500 UK Wi-Fi hotspots following a deal with The Cloud.

The mobile operator already offers Wi-Fi hotspots to its customers through existing partnerships with BT Openzone, France Telecom and WeRoam.

Following yesterday's agreement with The Cloud, Orange business customers now have access to more than 10,000 hotspots across the UK through Orange Wi-Fi Access.

Customers are required to sign up to Orange's Business Everywhere mobile data card service to gain access to the Wi-Fi networks.

Business Everywhere comprises a single data card that offers wireless connection to the internet through Wi-Fi, HSDPA, 3G, Edge, GPRS and 2G networks.

"Our business customers want easy-to-use, secure communication," said Anthony Keyworth, director of products at Orange Business Services.

"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."

The Cloud's UK footprint includes train stations, hotels, airports and major sporting venues, according to Owen Geddes, director of business development at The Cloud.
The company switched on what it claims to be Europe's "most comprehensive and advanced Wi-Fi network" across the City of London earlier this year.