Mobile phone operators are the undisputed leaders of the
telecommunications industry. With the rise of mobile phone vendors like
Samsung, Apple, Motorola, Nokia, and other players, and the increasing
use of mobile devices, it would be suffice to say mobile phone operators
play a fundamental role in shaping the digital future of the world.
There has been a surge in multi-function devices in the
telecommunications industry as customers demand products that can mix
and match the ability to make phone calls, surf the web, connect to
wireless applications, click pictures, listen to music and watching
videos.
To fulfill these needs, mobile operators have moved from being the
traditional cell phone coverage providers to become wireless ISPs
(Internet Service Provider). Vodafone and Orange are the two biggest
players in this business that provide access to mobile networks. They
are two of the most popular and trusted mobile phone operators in the
world and they have made quite a name for themselves in the
telecommunications business over the years. Vodafone is a British
telecom giant headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire and operates services
worldwide. Orange is a French multinational telecom company with
headquarters in Paris. Let’s take a look into the two telecom giants.
What is Vodafone?
Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunications company with
headquarters in London and Berkshire. It is one of the largest mobile
phone operators and service providers in the world with a worldwide
coverage and footprint in the regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and
Oceania. Vodafone operates services in 25 countries and has partnered
with several other networks spanning over 45 countries. Vodafone was
formed as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics Plc, then known as Racal
Telecom Limited. Approximately 20% of the capital of the company was
offered to the public on the London Stock Exchange in 1988. It was fully
demerged from Racal Electronics Plc and became an independent company
on September 16, 1991, at which time it changed its name to Vodafone
Group Plc, with Gerry Whent as its first chief executive.
What is Orange?
Orange S.A. is a French telecom giant owned by France Telecom Group, the
largest telecommunication company in France and the third largest in
Europe. Orange is one of the largest mobile operators in the world
serving over 250 million customers in over 20 countries in Asia, Europe,
Africa, and the Caribbean. Orange is the brand used by France Telecom
for its mobile network operator, landline and internet service provider.
It is one of the main European operators for mobile and broadband
Internet services. The company began in 1994 with Orange Personal
Communications Ltd. (OPC) entry into the UK market. Orange Plc was
formed in 1995 as a holding company for the Orange Group and the company
went public in 1996. The German industrial conglomerate Mannesmann AG
acquired Orange in 1999 and shortly after in 2000, Vodafone has acquired
Orange as part of the hostile takeover of Mannesmann. Shortly,
thereafter, France Telecom acquired Orange for an estimate €39.7 from
Vodafone, creating Europe’s second-largest mobile phone company.
Difference between Vodafone and Orange
Footprint
Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunications company and one
of the largest mobile phone operators in the world with a worldwide
coverage and footprint in the regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and
Oceania. Vodafone offers its service services in over 25 countries and
has partnered with several other networks spanning over 45 countries.
Orange is one of the largest mobile operators in the world serving over
250 million customers in over 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and
the Caribbean. Orange is the brand used by France Telecom for its mobile
network operator, landline and internet service provider.
History
Vodafone was formed as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics Plc, the UK’s
largest provider of military defense electronics. In 1991, Racal
Electronics and Vodafone were fully demerged and Vodafone Group became
an independent company and listed on the New York and London Stock
Exchanges, with Gerry Whent as its first chief executive. Orange Plc was
formed in 1995 as a holding company for the Orange Group and the
company went public in 1996. In 2001, France Telecom acquired Orange for
an estimate €39.7 from Vodafone, creating Europe’s second-largest
mobile phone company.
Services
Orange is one of the leading telecommunications operators in the world
owned by France Telecom Group, the largest telecommunication company in
France and the third largest in Europe. The Orange brand covers mobile
and fixed line communications, Internet and television services, and
IPTV services in the majority of countries where the group operates. The
group’s Orange Business Services division is a leader in providing
telecommunication services to multinational companies in the US.
Vodafone operates mobile networks and provides related services in 30
countries and has partners in more than 40 other countries. It operates
fixed DSL networks, cable, IPTV and satellite networks and has developed
new services like mobile payments and money transfer, m-health,
enterprise IT services, telephony and cloud computing,
machine-to-machine services, and more. Its business services division,
Vodafone Global Enterprise, is one of the leading providers of managed
mobility services, device management and solutions to global enterprise
customers.
Summary
Vodafone and Orange are the two largest mobile phone operators in the
world with a worldwide coverage and footprint in the regions of Europe,
Asia, and Africa. Vodafone is one of the largest mobile phone operators
in the world and operates mobile networks and provides related services
in 30 countries and has partners in more than 40 other countries.
Orange, on the other hand, is one of the leading telecommunications
operators in the world owned by France Telecom Group, the largest
telecommunication company in France and the third largest in Europe.