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Welcome to the Orange Partner newsletter.

With only two more weeks remaining before Orange Code Camp, Opio, the full programme is now published, so you can find out which key decision makers are going to be there from Orange, France Telecom Group and our sponsors.

The event promises to be packed with Orange Partner 'firsts' – exclusive announcements, a new format, and even more opportunities to network and promote your mobile applications, content and solutions. If you're thinking of attending, don't delay as there are only a few remaining places - book your place now >

In this month's edition of the Orange Partner newsletter, we'll touch upon some key Code Camp activities, plus you'll also be able to find out about our latest device launches, whitepapers, tools and SDKs available to download, plus great insights into the European mobile market and HSPDA technology.

I, together with the rest of the Orange Partner team, hope to meet you in a couple of weeks at Orange Code Camp, Opio!

Steve Glagow
Orange Partner - Director

SPV M5000 - Orange spearheads mobile devices for business
The first laptop-style phone and connected PDA is launched!

If you're creating products and solutions for business customers, then you'll be interested to know about the SPVM5000 – the latest business device from Orange.

The mobile device is a combined 3G mobile phone and connected PDA that provides a viable alternative to using a laptop while on the move. Part of the new Signature devices for business range, the SPV M5000 features a customised Orange Homescreen to suit business users, with an icon that provides shortcuts to key business features.

The device is optimised to provide high speed access to the internet and remote office applications. The laptop-style handset has a pivoting screen and a user-friendly QWERTY keyboard. It can also operate as a stylus-driven connected PDA with a screen display that automatically switches between portrait and landscape.

The SPV M5000 is one of the first business devices to take advantage of Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, giving business users the type of functionality and applications they use on their desktop PC such as email, personal information management and Microsoft Office applications – see the full device specifications >

Find out more about the Signature devices for business, (a new pan-European portfolio) from Orange, the manufacturers that we're working with and how we aim to simplify the adoption and management of mobility – read the full press release >

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PTK (Polish Cellular Telephony) Centertel in Poland – the newest Orange operation
PTK Centertel is the latest operation to adopt the Orange brand in Europe.

As of Monday 19 September, (Polish Cellular Telephony) Centertel in Poland has replaced its customer-facing brand, Idea, with Orange - making it Orange's third largest operation both in terms of revenues and customer numbers.

Orange now has operations in 17 countries, having re-branded existing operations in France, Slovakia, Romania, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Botswana, The Netherlands, and Madagascar in the last four years.

But, what does this mean for you – our members? Poland is now truly a part of the international group with all the backing that brings. We need you – our partners to work with us to help us reach new heights of innovation in Poland.

Meet us at Orange Partner events such as the imminent Orange Code Camp, Opio and we'll share our plans and requirements for the markets we serve and continue submitting your new ideas, mobile content and solutions for inclusion in the Orange Partner internal product catalogue – the showcase of your products to the Orange decision makers!

Find out about the plans for improvements to customer experience in Poland – read the full press release >

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Market analysis – a glimpse at the European mobile market evolution
Read through the latest figures of mobile users across Europe and find out about the markets with the most growth potential.

The need for market statistics and analysis is often top of the agenda in feedback that we collect from you – our partners – and when speaking with you face-to-face.

Here we take a quick look at some high level trends in Europe for the first half of 2005.

Despite the summer calm, Europe achieved 2.6 million net sales in July 05, bringing the customer base to 371.8 million (94.5% penetration).

Figures released by mobile operators now confirm that Germany and Spain respectively reached 70 million and 40 million mobile customers in late May 05 or early June 05.

EMC reports that 100% mobile penetration has been reached in Greece (in May 05), Austria and Spain (June 05) and Portugal (July 05).

Find out more – take a look at the full figures and comparison of the 17 European countries used in the survey >

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Orange launches new 3G/EDGE card - the world's first multi-bearer mobile wireless data solution
Are you developing products for business end-users across multiple bearers? If so, then learn more about the launch of the 3G/EDGE card from Orange.

Following a strategic agreement with wireless technology company Option (Euronext: OPTI, OTC: OPNVY) –we're pleased to be the first operator in Europe to announce the 'all-wireless technology' data solution as part of our Business Everywhere portfolio.

Business Everywhere is a fully integrated portfolio of worldwide mobility solutions, offered by the France Telecom Group, providing transparent access through wireless, fixed and mobile bearers.

The new device will deliver a simple and intuitive software experience through a customised Business Everywhere dashboard and the fastest wireless access to allow users to access email and browse the internet using the best available network across Europe.

End-users will gain a complete business mobile experience including software & hardware, access to the network that suits their communications needs. The solution automatically senses the fastest network access available, starting with WiFi, 3G through to EDGE and GPRS.

Read the full article and find out more about it works, the benefits to business end-users and the launch plans for the rest of the Orange footprint >

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Download - the latest Nokia whitepapers, tools and SDKs
Question: Did you know that we have the latest Nokia whitepapers, tools and SDKs on the Orange Partner website?

If your answer is 'no' – then you haven't noticed that you can download a host of information to help you with application creation within the 'develop with Orange' section of the website (premium members only).

If you are not a premium member (membership is free) – apply to become one now >

Orange Partner and Forum Nokia work together to offer the best documents and tools for Orange developers that develop on top of Nokia platforms.

Take a look at the latest whitepapers, tools and SDKs on the series 40, 60, 80, and 90 – plus general content authoring, Java, and Symbian C++ information >

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France Telecom Group & Microsoft™ – a strategic deal to co-develop innovative products and technologies
The initiatives that will help deliver innovative convergent services to customers

Back in the April edition of the Orange Partner newsletter we told you about the strategic marketing and technology partnership between France Telecom Group and Microsoft™.

Here we look at the first two initiatives from the deal and how they will affect you in creating mobile content, applications and solutions for Orange and France Telecom Group.

First, France Telecom Group and Microsoft™ will cooperate on a next generation service platform to enable aggregation and delivery of a wide variety of services, including voice, video and data.

There is a need for next-generation service platforms, for triple play and beyond, in order to evolve from side-by-side services, and provide users with a much richer experience, giving the liberty to combine TV, VoIP, IM, presence, content, and many other services simultaneously and with great flexibility.

This service platform, using the Microsoft Connected Services Framework, will provide a foundation for building and managing complex services using a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web service interfaces.

The second strategic initiative is a joint collaboration bringing many countries a series of feature-rich, easy-to-use voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones developed by France Telecom Group and based on Microsoft software:

• LivePhone - the first WiFi broadband Smartphone developed by France Telecom Group for its Home segment - will be connected to the France Telecom Group home gateway (LiveBox) and services.

• Homezone - developed by France Telecom Group - is a seamless service for communications on the move and at home, using a dual-radio GSM / WiFi mobile Voice Over IP device which will evolve to become a Smartphone based on the Windows Mobile platform.

Find out more – read the full press release >

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3G is already here – is 2006, the year of High Speed Downlink Packet Access?
3G has only just started in Europe, yet 3.5G is already here, bringing theoretically much better performance and also the ability to handle more users.

Tariq Rajput, (Orange) will be talking more about the Orange High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA) network in his session 'Integrating services with the Orange networks' at Orange Code Camp, Opio.

But meanwhile, take a look at some key facts about HSDPA below, and then find out more about the evolution of wireless standards, HSPDA network and devices roadmaps across the world.

Scheduled for next year by many operators, the HSDPA technology will speed downlink data from a maximum of 384 Kbps today to around .6 Mbps initially then 2.2 Mbps in 2007.

In Japan, the technological contest between DoCoMo and KDDI continues. KDDI pulled the rug from under the feet of its rival on 3G tanks to its CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) EV-DO network, but DoCoMo will counterattack by launching HSDPA with even higher bit rates.

The USA is seeing a similar contest between Cingular, which has announced its intention to roll out HSDPA, and CDMA operators such as Nextel and Verizon that are currently testing CDMA EV-DO RevA.

In Europe there are many plans to launch 3.5G, sometime next year for most operators. Several operators hope to start their first tests before the end of this year and some are even planning to launch simultaneously in several countries in 2006.

Find out more - read the full article now >

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Orange Code Camp, Opio, 17-19 October – don't miss out on the exclusive announcements!
We want to share as much information with you as possible at the event - and we plan to do this in a variety of ways.

For the first time ever we'll be revealing our plans for a new global platform for the delivery of mobile content and services, explaining how we plan to help get your products endorsed within the marketplace.

We'll also be showcasing brand new testing and development tools, and there will be more key decision makers from across the France Telecom Group and Orange global businesses than ever before, for example …

VP Product Marketing, VP Devices, Director of Brand Strategy, Video Services Manager, Director of Architecture, Group Games Manager, Head of Entertainment –Orange UK, Group Video Services Manager, Head of Device Product Marketing & Planning …

Take a look at the sessions and find out the full list from the website >

Plus, new to Code Camp, Opio you will be able to catch up with speakers outside of their sessions to ask them all you need to know on their specialist subject in the 'speaker spot' area.

Opio promises to be full of surprises and Orange Partner 'firsts'!

Find out about the exclusive activities for partners who've singed Bi-Lateral Non-Disclosure agreements with us, and read through the session summaries to find out how Code Camp meets all your commercial and technical needs.

If you're serious about developing and commercialising mobile content, applications and services then don't miss out – Code Camp is one of the few opportunities to promote your product to Orange representatives face-to-face.

Plus, at Code Camp you have the opportunity to participate in some fantastic contests to win a Segway Human Transporter – by entering the Orange Code Camp Contest, and to promote your product or business by participating in the 'A Day in the Life' contest …>

If you're thinking about attending Code Camp – don't miss out – there are only two more weeks remaining and we are limited on the number of places available.

Find out more and register now >

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Symbian Smartphone Show 2005, 11th – 12th October 2005 – Excel Centre, London
Visit us at booth #127A on the show floor for a one-to-one chat with the Orange Partner team.

We look forward to catching up with our members, and meeting new faces at the Symbian Smartphone Show 2005

Visit us on the show floor, and find out what Orange Smartphones you might be able to win!

Don't miss Patrick Rouvillois, Vice President of Product Marketing, Orange Group present in the opening keynote on "Driving Growth through Innovative and Content".

Steve Glagow, Orange Partner Director, will talk about "The Orange Partner Programme – Successfully Creating Content with Attractive Reward Models", and participate in the Interactive Panel.

Find out more about the Symbian Smartphone Show >

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Top links from the website:

The Orange Partner newsletter is the best way for our partners to regularly keep up with the latest market and technology developments from Orange and the mobile industry.

Find out the top 5 stories and articles from the newsletter and website that were of interest to our members last month (compiled using clicks per web page analysis):

• Orange Code Camp, Opio – the sessions
• The full list of APNs for the countries in which Orange operates
• France Telecom Group ½ year results – an analysis of Orange an the other markets across the France Telecom Group footprint
• EDGE – what is it, how does it relate to existing Orange networks, and what is the Orange strategy?
• The categories of mobile applications, content and solutions that Orange is looking for

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