Africa Guardian

Africa / Orange launches widest range of exclusive affordable phones
with dedicated Facebook® functionality in Africa and Europe

PARIS, France, November 16, 2011/ — Three new phones with deep
Facebook integration and dedicated ‘F’ key available in Africa and
Europe from Q4 2011 – offering the widest portfolio of affordable
phones with deep Facebook functionality launched by an operator to
date

         Orange is bringing simple, affordable, social phones for
under €100 to a broader range of customers in more than 15 countries*

         The new range includes the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH 908F Android
smartphone, one of the most affordable Android smartphones available,
exclusive to Orange

Orange (http://www.orange.com) will exclusively launch three new
affordable phones with deep Facebook integration across Africa and
Europe from Q4 2011, creating a swift, simple, cost effective social
experience for more of Orange’s customers than ever before.

With access to the widest range of phones with Facebook built-in under
€100, including the new ALCATEL ONE TOUCH 908F Android smartphone,
Orange customers can choose the phone best suited to their needs.
Facebook’s social capabilities run through every feature of these
phones, from the camera to contacts with the dedicated ‘F’ key
allowing instant uploading and interaction. Orange customers can also
purchase these handsets with affordable bundles and tariffs that
include unlimited Facebook access without extra data charges.

This announcement forms part of Orange’s strategy to help customers
get more from their digital lives and provide access to mobile
services such as Facebook to the widest possible range of customers.
At a more affordable price point than previously available, with
bundles and tariffs to match, these handsets will make mobile Facebook
access richer and more widely available for the first time for some
customers.

“The rise of the smartphone and the explosion of social networks have
completely changed how people keep in touch and share content. Until
now many consumers across Africa and Europe have not had access to a
phone that offers deep Facebook integration at an affordable price,”
said Yves Maitre, Senior Vice President of Mobile Multimedia and
Devices, Orange. “We feel strongly that it is Orange’s role to enable
customers to enjoy a digitally rich, connected life and this and
future work with Facebook and ALCATEL ONE TOUCH will allow us to open
up mobile social media access to even more of our customers.”

“Orange and Facebook have a common goal of providing mobile social
access to people throughout Europe and Africa,” said Henri Moissinac,
Head of Mobile Business at Facebook. “These phones and our ongoing
collaboration with Orange will offer an opportunity for people to
easily connect and share with their friends on Facebook anytime,
anywhere and, for some, experience the mobile web for the first time.”

Orange has set out a clear strategy to increase its original design
manufacturer portfolio from 15 to 20 per cent in order to offer
customers more choice across pre-pay and post-pay segments. By growing
the portfolio with partnerships such as this, Orange is able to
provide customers with high quality, affordable handsets packed with
intuitive, useful and unique services and features.

Phones from this initial range will be available in more than 15
countries, with Romania and Poland launching by the end of 2011, and
more countries launching the handsets throughout 2012.

The range consists of three phones that make it easy for customers to
post and tag photos, comment on a friend’s wall and sync Facebook
friends to their address book.  The phones are the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH
585F, ONE TOUCH 813F, and ONE TOUCH 908F (Orange Vancouver in
Romania).

“ALCATEL ONE TOUCH commits to expand our smart phone product portfolio
to enrich people’s life with advanced features. We are proud to be
working with Orange and Facebook to deliver the first range of phones
as a result of this partnership,” said Dr. George Guo, CEO of TCL
Communication  Technology, which uses ALCATEL ONE TOUCH as one of its
brands. “These exclusive phones offer a fantastic integrated social
networking experience and dedicated ‘f’ key for instant access and
uploading, combining quality and affordability for Orange customers.”