ATLANTA-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and Orange SA said they plan to offer consolidated mobile services to multinational companies in the United States and Europe.
Under the arrangement, Cingular and Orange customers with operations in the United States, Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland can manage their combined Cingular and Orange wireless use through a secure online portal, called WorldView Wireless Information Navigator, which is available to Cingular’s WorldView customers.
The plan also allows Cingular customers signed up for its Cingular Corporate Digital Advantage to apply Orange minutes to their Cingular account to qualify for volume discounts.
“Cingular’s new and valued relationship with Orange gives us an even greater capability to serve the needs of our multinational customers given Orange’s significant presence in Europe,” said Joe Lueckenhoff, vice president, Business Mobility and Marketing, for Cingular Wireless. “Cingular provides wireless services to a world-class roster of clients, including 95 of the Fortune 100 companies and more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500. Many of them conduct operations in countries served by Orange. This alliance gives these customers much greater cost and administrative efficiencies by consolidating their domestic and international wireless usage and managing it through a single, centralized process.”
Cingular and Orange account representatives also will work to offer one point of contact to customers’ trans-Atlantic purchase requests and major bids. “Multinational companies tell us that procurement and leveraging economies of scale are two of their biggest headaches,” said Philippe Bernard, executive vice president, Orange Business Solutions. “Our reciprocal arrangement with Cingular via the Worldview program eases that pain. By providing our multinational customers with the right services, tools and support we can help our customers do business better, and more efficiently. Furthermore, we believe this arrangement further strengthens our competitive position and underlines our commitment to deliver to businesses.”
Research firm Ovum noted the deal targets U.S.-based multinational companies using Cingular service who do business in Europe. Cingular also has alliances for its WorldView program with other carriers serving such countries as Austria, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland.
