PARIS -- Orange announces today a partnership with Ortel Mobile to host the virtual mobile operator on its mobile network in France.

Ortel Mobile, which launched operations on the French MVNO market in early 2010, aims to maintain its position as market leader in the multicultural segment in France. Today Ortel Mobile is active as an MVNO in six European countries, and already uses the Orange network in Spain and Switzerland.

Gerben Wijbenga, CEO of Ortel said: “We are pleased to announce this agreement with Orange that will allow us to offer attractive and innovative products to our customers in France, combining the strengths of Ortel Mobile with those of a large multinational operator”.

Brigitte Bourgoin, Executive Vice President of Orange France’s Wholesale division said: “I am delighted with this agreement that shows our active position in this promising market segment and reinforces our leadership as the leading MVNO partner in France”.

By offering wholesale agreements to other operators, Orange is both promoting competition and optimising the value of its network, in which the Group invests heavily each year. With close to 3 million MVNO customers, Orange currently hosts around half of all French MVNOs. In total, MVNOs now represent 10% of the French mobile market.

Orange France