United Kingdom
Orange’s market position in 2007
• fixed, mobile, Internet
• 22.2% mobile market share and 15.6 million customers
• 8% broadband market share at the end of September and 1.1 million ADSL customers (data: 3rd quarter 2007)
• 336 Orange boutiques and 150 specialized outlets
• fixed, mobile, Internet
• 22.2% mobile market share and 15.6 million customers
• 8% broadband market share at the end of September and 1.1 million ADSL customers (data: 3rd quarter 2007)
• 336 Orange boutiques and 150 specialized outlets
As of 31 December 2007, the United Kingdom was the 3rd largest mobile market in Western Europe in terms of number of users, behind Germany and Italy.
competitive environment
Having brought its mobile, Internet (Wanadoo) and enterprise (Equant) operations under one banner in the United Kingdom, Orange UK is positioned as a supplier of integrated, innovative and convergent communication services.
• Mobile: the leading players on the mobile telephone market are the three GSM network operators: O2 (wholly-owned subsidiary of Telefonica), Vodafone and T-Mobile (wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom). Since March 2003, Orange UK is facing competition from a 4th entrant on the UMTS market, Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, operating under the brand “3”. Mobile virtual network operators have also been operating on the market since 1999.
• Fixed / internet: in 2007, the broadband market continued to evolve quickly and competition remained intense. Carphone Warehouse had acquired the British operations of AOL and revived the price war in the second quarter of 2006 with its “Free broadband” offer coupled with telephony. Sky entered the ADSL market in 2006 and Tiscali acquired Home Choice. The Virgin Media brand made its market entrance in February 2007, following the NTL and Telewest brands. Mergers and consolidations continued, with Tiscali purchasing the voice / broadband division of Pipex and BT buying Brightview's broadband subscribers. Vodafone and O2 also launched their DSL services. Combined multi-play offerings are now the market standard and include broadband, unlimited voice and, depending on the operator, a fixed line, television or mobile package.
competitive environment
Having brought its mobile, Internet (Wanadoo) and enterprise (Equant) operations under one banner in the United Kingdom, Orange UK is positioned as a supplier of integrated, innovative and convergent communication services.
• Mobile: the leading players on the mobile telephone market are the three GSM network operators: O2 (wholly-owned subsidiary of Telefonica), Vodafone and T-Mobile (wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom). Since March 2003, Orange UK is facing competition from a 4th entrant on the UMTS market, Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, operating under the brand “3”. Mobile virtual network operators have also been operating on the market since 1999.
• Fixed / internet: in 2007, the broadband market continued to evolve quickly and competition remained intense. Carphone Warehouse had acquired the British operations of AOL and revived the price war in the second quarter of 2006 with its “Free broadband” offer coupled with telephony. Sky entered the ADSL market in 2006 and Tiscali acquired Home Choice. The Virgin Media brand made its market entrance in February 2007, following the NTL and Telewest brands. Mergers and consolidations continued, with Tiscali purchasing the voice / broadband division of Pipex and BT buying Brightview's broadband subscribers. Vodafone and O2 also launched their DSL services. Combined multi-play offerings are now the market standard and include broadband, unlimited voice and, depending on the operator, a fixed line, television or mobile package.
regulations
Regulator: Ofcom was established as an independent entity by the Office of Communications Act 2002 and is in charge of regulating communications companies in the United Kingdom. Its sphere of activity covers television, radio, telecommunications and fixed communication services. Ofcom also exercises the powers of a competition authority in the electronic communications sector. The regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services is defined by the Communications Act of July 17, 2003.
Regulator: Ofcom was established as an independent entity by the Office of Communications Act 2002 and is in charge of regulating communications companies in the United Kingdom. Its sphere of activity covers television, radio, telecommunications and fixed communication services. Ofcom also exercises the powers of a competition authority in the electronic communications sector. The regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services is defined by the Communications Act of July 17, 2003.
Ofcom’s six responsibilities
- ensuring the optimal use of the electro-magnetic spectrum
- ensuring that a wide range of electronic communication services – including high speed data services – is available throughout the United Kingdom
- ensuring a wide range of TV and radio services of high quality and wide appeal
- maintaining plurality in the provision of broadcasting
- applying adequate protection for audiences against offensive or harmful material
- applying adequate protection for audiences against unfairness or the infringement of privacy
main regulatory decisions
March 2007: decision to reduce mobile call termination tariffs from 6.3 pence/min in 2007 to 5.1 pence/min in 2011 for Orange, O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile, and to 5.3 pence/min for H3G
June 2007: implementation of European rule on international roaming with “Euro tariffs” (outgoing: 38 pence/min, incoming: 19 pence/min, before tax)
November 2007: decision to reduce the time limit for mobile number portability to a maximum of two business days beginning 31 March 2008
December 2007: decision applicable in September 2008 imposing a requirement on Voice over IP operators to give access to emergency services for calls to normal national fixed and mobile phone numbers
December 2007: end of comment period on future regulation of “Next Generation Access” concluding with an absence of optical fibre deployment projects in the access network
March 2007: decision to reduce mobile call termination tariffs from 6.3 pence/min in 2007 to 5.1 pence/min in 2011 for Orange, O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile, and to 5.3 pence/min for H3G June 2007: implementation of European rule on international roaming with “Euro tariffs” (outgoing: 38 pence/min, incoming: 19 pence/min, before tax) November 2007: decision to reduce the time limit for mobile number portability to a maximum of two business days beginning 31 March 2008 December 2007: decision applicable in September 2008 imposing a requirement on Voice over IP operators to give access to emergency services for calls to normal national fixed and mobile phone numbers December 2007: end of comment period on future regulation of “Next Generation Access” concluding with an absence of optical fibre deployment projects in the access network copyright France Telecom 2010
