Orange plans video mobile internet launch for August

NEWS Orange has strengthened its strategy for video mobile internet with the announcement it will launch video mobile internet services running on its HSCSD (High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data) network in August. The announcement follows its £95m acquisition last week of digital newscaster Ananova. Consumers will be able to access news, music, games and travel services on a video format. France Telecom's UK mobile operator is yet to finalise its pricing structure for the services but claims it is working on a new model that will radically change the way both prepay and contract customers pay for mobile voice and data services. Contrary to earlier reports, Orange said it does not intend to commit to the Japanese technology i-Mode. The services will run using WAP which a spokesman said will see improvements over the coming year. He added: "We want to wait until I-Mode is better recognised by UK consumers before we consider using the technology." Other announcements today were of the £95m acquisition of Wildfire and a £300m global Internet investment fund. Five investment centres will be set up in the US, Singapore and UK, which will be used to accelerate the development of new technology companies that can deliver future Orange services.