Mobile network operator Orange has signed a three-year deal to
distribute internet-ready Hewlett-Packard laptop and notebook PCs
throughout its European distribution network.
The first countries to offer the HP PCs will be the UK, Belgium,
Switzerland, Austria and Portugal.
Announced on the eve of the
GSMA Mobile World
Congress in Barcelona this week, the deal means Orange and HP
will co-distribute and market a range of consumer notebooks and HP
Minis with mobile and/or fixed broadband access.
One of these offers is the new Compaq Mini 700 which allows UK
customers to buy a ready to use internet connected notebook for £30
a month. The price includes Orange's mobile broadband service and
dongle, a 3Gbyte data allowance and 24-month manufacturer's
warranty.
Orange hopes the deal will boost its mobile broadband service,
which grew 81% to 23.2 million customers last year.