Orange S.A.
18 February 2003


                    ORANGE LAUNCHES NEW EDITION TO SPV FAMILY
        "SPVx" primed for games, music and entertainment services



*        New Windows(R) Powered SPV to launch in April - consumer focus
*        Orange in talks to release detachable gaming cradle
*        Internal Orange codename - SPVx



February 18 2003. Cannes, France. Orange, one of the world's largest
communications companies, today announced the launch of a new
consumer-orientated SPV - codenamed the SPVx.



The announcement follows last November's launch of the SPV - the world's first
mobile phone to use the Microsoft(R) Smartphone platform -and comes on the back
of Orange research and customer feedback.



The research indicates that the average SPV user is either a mobile business
worker or early adopter, with a high use of email and synchronisation with their
PC. With the addition of the SPVx, Orange is widening the SPV portfolio to
engage the consumer customer, bringing them even easier access to games, music
and entertainment services.



Orange will offer special SPV and SPVx retail packs which will include the phone
and specific accessories or accessory discounts for different market segments.



The SPV - focussed at business customers, application developers and early
adopters - will be offered with accessories including a new plug-in soft
keyboard (making texting and email even easier), a fully-integrated car kit and
a bluetooth headset which plugs in to the phone's serial port.



The SPVx includes features such as a joystick for gaming and menu navigation,
and will be offered with accessories such as entertainment memory cards
(complete with games, songs and video clips) and a camera link cable that gives
customers even more flexibility when Photo Messaging. Orange is also in talks
with a number of companies with regards to launching a detachable cradle that
transforms the phone into a gaming console. The accessories will also be
available separately for purchase, allowing customers to independently mix and
match their package depending on which phone or add-ons they require.



Orange intends to launch the SPVx in April. The phone is intended to be offered
in the UK, France, Denmark and Switzerland to sit alongside the original SPV.
The SPVx has the same power and capabilities as the SPV, but the applications
and look and feel have been designed specifically with consumer customers in
mind. The SPVx - which has yet to be officially named by Orange - looks similar
to the original SPV, but has a number of different features including:



*        new larger keyboard layout and "joystick" for menu navigation and
gaming

*        new screen allowing even easier colour internet viewing

*        consumer-focussed menu layout and applications



Richard Brennan, Executive Vice-President of OrangeWorld and Brand at Orange,
said: "Initial data has shown us that many of our SPV users are either small
business or corporate customers. That's why we decided to develop a new phone
aimed at the mass market. We are modifying the menu structures on the SPVx so
that the more consumer-focussed services, such as the internet, games, music
applications, messaging services and Windows Media Player are the first
programmes customers can access. We are also modifying the home screen to give a
more consumer-orientated feel, and with the launch of cool accessories like the
gaming cradle and entertainment memory cards, give customers even more
opportunities to use its music, video and game functions. Orange customers now
have a clear choice with regards to the SPV they wish to use - be it for
business or pleasure."



Today also sees the announcement of the first official Orange group release of
new software for the SPV. The software update improves functionality and battery
life and also gives customers two new applications - sound manager and picture
manager. The update will be available for all SPV customers to download from the
Orange.com website on Monday 24th February.



Brennan continued: "The launch of the first SPV has been a great success. We've
sold over 40,000 units and had some great feedback. We've also listened to our
customers - what they liked about the phone and how they would like us to
improve the experience. That information has helped us focus our work on the
SPVx and also formed the basis of the software update for the original SPV."



He added:  "While we focus on the launch of the new phone we will not be
neglecting the original SPV. In fact, over the next few weeks we will be
announcing new applications, further software updates and business-focussed
accessories, including a soft keyboard, a bluetooth solution and a fully
integrated car kit.



"We now have two phones in the SPV family, with more to follow. In the future,
we are looking to extend the experience even further, to include clam-shell
handsets, built-in cameras, bluetooth capabilities and so much more."



The SPVx is due to be available in stores across the UK, France, Denmark and
Switzerland in the next six to eight weeks. The price point has yet to be
announced.

ends



For more information, images and interview bids, please call the Orange media
centre on +44 207 984 2000



Notes to Editors

Orange and wirefree are trademarks of Orange PCS. The Orange group is one of the
world's largest mobile communications companies, with operations in 20 countries
across Europe and beyond. It provides a broad range of personal communications
services, including Orange GSM1800 services and other digital cellular telephone
services. The Orange brand operates in the UK, France, Switzerland, Romania,
Denmark, Slovakia, Thailand, the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic and the
Cameroon. The Orange group also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar),
the Netherlands (Dutchtone), Botswana (Vista Cellular) and Madagascar (SMM) and
intends to launch Orange UMTS operations in Luxembourg. The Orange group has a
joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in Italy
(Wind), Portugal (Optimus), Austria (Connect Austria) and Mumbai/India (BPL
Mobile). As at the end of December 2002, Orange was the largest mobile operator
in both the UK with 13.3 million active customers, and France with 18.8 million
active customers. Orange has 44.4 million controlled customers worldwide.
Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at
www.orange.com



Appendix



Survey results



Orange research found that:



*         88% of Orange customers rate their SPV ease of use better than OK

*         Average SPV customer had an internet or WAP session 5 times per day
(over three times the amount a non-SPV pay monthly Orange customer accesses the
internet or WAP)

*         83% of Orange customers have synchronised the SPV with their PC

*         63% are using email with 83% of those finding it better than OK to use

*         Almost 50% of the SPV customer-base use MMS services

*         Portal and Internet accessed used by 78% of Orange SPV customers

*         75% of SPV customers enjoy watching video clips and playing games



Facts and Figures



*         SPV stands for Sound Pictures Video

*         The launch of the SPV was announced in October 2002 with retail
availability in November.

*         The SPV was the world's first Microsoft Windows(R) powered phone.

*         Orange has sold over 40,000 SPV's across the UK, France, Switzerland
and Denmark.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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