Update 19.12.2008: iPhone 3G at last in Mauritius - & it sucks!
Edit: Orange is here & here's the followup to this post: Mauritius welcomes Orange.
& if you want the real RANT POST, here it is: Orange ADSL’s Fair Usage Policy is a stab in the back!
Orange is finally here...
I was expecting the transformation from Cellplus to Orange since quite a long time, but now it has taken place... let's see what happens next.
Ladies & Gentlemen, please keep a minute of silence to commemorate the demise of one of our nation's most reliable & most famous brands - Cellplus.
With over 500k subscribers, Cellplus was the leading mobile network, blending into our daily lives with services like Complis, Get2Net, SmsChat, Radiovision, MatinalSa… Rest in Peace Cellplus…
What to expect?
- Getting ORANGE instead of CELLPLUS-MRU in your network id.
- Getting an Orange sticker on your phone purchased fromCellplus Orange.
- Having your phone support being in French only (no Kreol plz).
- Cellplus -> Orange
- Complis -> Forfait Orange Zap? Mobicarte?
- Wanadoo ADSL -> Orange ADSL
- My.T -> Orange Livebox?
- Cellplus portal -> Orange World
- myt.mu -> Orange.mu
- Being labelled as one more addition to the long list of African Orange operators aka Orange Ile Maurice (full list on Wiki)
Already orange.mu redirects to servihoo.com...
But unfortunately, you will obviously not be getting those lucrative 8Mbps Mega Deals!
According to l'Express, Mauritius Telecom is paying up to 3% of their annual turnover to be able to use the Orange name & services.
I obviously don't see the logic in there... Orange isn't really a big brand as it is being overhyped. Why should MT pay any royalty fee? Instead Orange should be paying MT!
For example, Microsoft has a stake in Facebook. If tomorrow, they want to change the name to Microsoft Facebook, it's MS who should be paying Facebook & not the other way round.
But seeing that France Telecom has 40% of control upon MT, expect more abuse of power in the future.
& again according to L'Express, the "hidden agenda" behind such a deal is to make Apple's iPhone available in Mauritius since Orange is the official distributor of iPhone in France. Sounds interesting, but it's still a lame April Fool joke...
The Apple-iTunes-iPhone-Network symbiosis is so complex that it would be totally unfeasible in Mauritius. The iPhone is a premium product for a niche market (with equally premium network rates!) It won't work in Mauritius.
Check out Orange’s iPhone site: iphone.orange.fr
& there's even an iPhone Orange Ad flaunting off Mauritius...
& Vacoas?!?
The Ad:
In any case, the Cellplus to Orange transition will highly damage the national recognition of the brand... meaning Emtel can seize the opportunity to cash on its Mauritian identity.
Btw, Emtel have revamped their site… check it out: emtel-ltd.com
While the demised Cellplus was reputed for its reliable network, Emtel is the most innovative company (3G, Hsdpa, ePin, Easy Transfer). However, with Orange, the competition will be tougher. Newer services & newer "forfaits" will be introduced - unlimited calls & sms? Newer adsl options? FTTH? Mobile package deals?
Remember Cellplus used to sell those Sagem phones… Orange as well will sell mobile phones at subsidised prices under contract deals.
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of a national symbol or the start of a new era of "technologie Française?" Only time will tell...
Hint: Orange UK is considered the worst ISP in UK (via Wiki).
Boycott Orange or else support it... Here's a few goodies:
Orange Operator Logos
Orange Wallpaper (cooler logo) Download here.
Say No to Orange badge!
Tired of Orange? Go Green!
PS:Cellplus Orange will be launching their ePin competitor very soon...
Updates:
Here's the preview clip annoucing the launch of Orange on the 17th...
All support numbers for mobile & internet has been changed to 8900.
UPDATE 2:
Follow-up to this post:
Mauritius welcomes Orange...
All updates will henceforth be on this post.
Orange is finally here...
I was expecting the transformation from Cellplus to Orange since quite a long time, but now it has taken place... let's see what happens next.
Ladies & Gentlemen, please keep a minute of silence to commemorate the demise of one of our nation's most reliable & most famous brands - Cellplus.
With over 500k subscribers, Cellplus was the leading mobile network, blending into our daily lives with services like Complis, Get2Net, SmsChat, Radiovision, MatinalSa… Rest in Peace Cellplus…
What to expect?
- Getting ORANGE instead of CELLPLUS-MRU in your network id.
- Getting an Orange sticker on your phone purchased from
- Having your phone support being in French only (no Kreol plz).
- Cellplus -> Orange
- Complis -> Forfait Orange Zap? Mobicarte?
- Wanadoo ADSL -> Orange ADSL
- My.T -> Orange Livebox?
- Cellplus portal -> Orange World
- myt.mu -> Orange.mu
- Being labelled as one more addition to the long list of African Orange operators aka Orange Ile Maurice (full list on Wiki)
Already orange.mu redirects to servihoo.com...
But unfortunately, you will obviously not be getting those lucrative 8Mbps Mega Deals!
According to l'Express, Mauritius Telecom is paying up to 3% of their annual turnover to be able to use the Orange name & services.
I obviously don't see the logic in there... Orange isn't really a big brand as it is being overhyped. Why should MT pay any royalty fee? Instead Orange should be paying MT!
For example, Microsoft has a stake in Facebook. If tomorrow, they want to change the name to Microsoft Facebook, it's MS who should be paying Facebook & not the other way round.
But seeing that France Telecom has 40% of control upon MT, expect more abuse of power in the future.
& again according to L'Express, the "hidden agenda" behind such a deal is to make Apple's iPhone available in Mauritius since Orange is the official distributor of iPhone in France. Sounds interesting, but it's still a lame April Fool joke...
The Apple-iTunes-iPhone-Network symbiosis is so complex that it would be totally unfeasible in Mauritius. The iPhone is a premium product for a niche market (with equally premium network rates!) It won't work in Mauritius.
Check out Orange’s iPhone site: iphone.orange.fr
& there's even an iPhone Orange Ad flaunting off Mauritius...
& Vacoas?!?
The Ad:
In any case, the Cellplus to Orange transition will highly damage the national recognition of the brand... meaning Emtel can seize the opportunity to cash on its Mauritian identity.
Btw, Emtel have revamped their site… check it out: emtel-ltd.com
While the demised Cellplus was reputed for its reliable network, Emtel is the most innovative company (3G, Hsdpa, ePin, Easy Transfer). However, with Orange, the competition will be tougher. Newer services & newer "forfaits" will be introduced - unlimited calls & sms? Newer adsl options? FTTH? Mobile package deals?
Remember Cellplus used to sell those Sagem phones… Orange as well will sell mobile phones at subsidised prices under contract deals.
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of a national symbol or the start of a new era of "technologie Française?" Only time will tell...
Hint: Orange UK is considered the worst ISP in UK (via Wiki).
Boycott Orange or else support it... Here's a few goodies:
Orange Operator Logos
Orange Wallpaper (cooler logo) Download here.
Say No to Orange badge!
Tired of Orange? Go Green!
PS:
Updates:
Here's the preview clip annoucing the launch of Orange on the 17th...
All support numbers for mobile & internet has been changed to 8900.
UPDATE 2:
Follow-up to this post:
Mauritius welcomes Orange...
All updates will henceforth be on this post.