Global telecom service provider Orange has launched a new subsidiary called Orange Horizons to seek out new business opportunities in countries where the group is not already present as a mass-market telecommunications provider.
The project, which will leverage the global reputation of the Orange brand and existing Group assets, aims to provide a new source of revenue for Orange and improve customer loyalty across its footprint without the need for significant investment.
Such projects could include the the launch of over-the-top country websites that aim to leverage existing assets such as the Group’s two pan-continental web-portals StarAfrica (Africa) and starMedia (South America), or content-providers such as Deezer and DailyMotion; launch of online stores selling telecoms-related equipment or airtime; or the launch of a virtual mobile operator (MVNO) activity.
The first of these projects has already been launched in South Africa under the Orange Horizons banner. This comprises two websites: firstly an e-commerce website, has been launched to sell telecoms-related devices and accessories.
Speaking on the launch of Orange Horizons, Elie Girard, Senior Executive Vice President of Strategy and International Development, said: “Due to traditional migratory flows or cultural and professional ties, there are many countries where Orange is already very well-known despite not having an operational presence. We think there is strong potential to create a new source of revenues in these countries by leveraging awareness of the brand to propose very simple mass-market offers.”
The Group’s footprint currently covers around 10% of the world’s population, leaving 6.2 billion people who could potentially become customers through Orange Horizons activities[VENTURES-AFRICA]
