Orange Launches “Unique Phone”: One Phone for Mobile and Home

The phone will be available to Orange customers in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland. Each market will tailor its proposition to meet the specific needs of customers in that territory.

Unique phone combines the best of fixed and mobile within a single handset: one phone number, one address book, one answer phone and one bill from Orange.

At home,the mobile handset connects in WiFi mode to the Orange Livebox and calls are routed via the Internet, offering enhanced coverage inside the house.

Outside,Unique phone works just like a standard mobile, with calls routed via the mobile network.

Unique phone allows customers to move freely between the mobile and home networks without interrupting their conversation. A call made at home automatically switches over to the Orange mobile network when you leave the house. Furthermore, a call initiated at home remains covered by the unlimited offer even when you leave your home. A symbol on the phone's screen constantly informs customers of the network they are connected to.

Each home can have up to six Unique phones, with three people able to make calls or surf the net at the same time. Because it uses the Orange Livebox to route calls at home, Unique phone also offers customers enhanced coverage and faster access to Orange mobile data services including Orange World, picture and video messaging, mobile email and the mobile internet.

Unique phone customers will receive a single bill from Orange for all of the home's communications needs. They will also benefit from a dedicated customer helpline for registration and in-life queries. If a customer wishes, they can also book a visit from an engineer who will install Unique phone for them at minimal cost.

UK customers can pre-register for the service today by visiting Orange with first units available in November.Initially, there are three handsets to choose from the Motorola A910, Nokia 6136 and the Samsung P200 with more due to launch in 2007. www.orange.co.uk/uniquephone