Mobile phone operators are the undisputed leaders of the telecommunications industry. With the rise of mobile phone vendors like Samsung, Apple, Motorola, Nokia, and other players, and the increasing use of mobile devices, it would be suffice to say mobile phone operators play a fundamental role in shaping the digital future of the world. There has been a surge in multi-function devices in the telecommunications industry as customers demand products that can mix and match the ability to make phone calls, surf the web, connect to wireless applications, click pictures, listen to music and watching videos.

To fulfill these needs, mobile operators have moved from being the traditional cell phone coverage providers to become wireless ISPs (Internet Service Provider). Vodafone and Orange are the two biggest players in this business that provide access to mobile networks. They are two of the most popular and trusted mobile phone operators in the world and they have made quite a name for themselves in the telecommunications business over the years. Vodafone is a British telecom giant headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire and operates services worldwide. Orange is a French multinational telecom company with headquarters in Paris. Let’s take a look into the two telecom giants.

What is Vodafone?

Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunications company with headquarters in London and Berkshire. It is one of the largest mobile phone operators and service providers in the world with a worldwide coverage and footprint in the regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Vodafone operates services in 25 countries and has partnered with several other networks spanning over 45 countries. Vodafone was formed as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics Plc, then known as Racal Telecom Limited. Approximately 20% of the capital of the company was offered to the public on the London Stock Exchange in 1988. It was fully demerged from Racal Electronics Plc and became an independent company on September 16, 1991, at which time it changed its name to Vodafone Group Plc, with Gerry Whent as its first chief executive.

What is Orange?

Orange S.A. is a French telecom giant owned by France Telecom Group, the largest telecommunication company in France and the third largest in Europe. Orange is one of the largest mobile operators in the world serving over 250 million customers in over 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Orange is the brand used by France Telecom for its mobile network operator, landline and internet service provider. It is one of the main European operators for mobile and broadband Internet services. The company began in 1994 with Orange Personal Communications Ltd. (OPC) entry into the UK market. Orange Plc was formed in 1995 as a holding company for the Orange Group and the company went public in 1996. The German industrial conglomerate Mannesmann AG acquired Orange in 1999 and shortly after in 2000, Vodafone has acquired Orange as part of the hostile takeover of Mannesmann. Shortly, thereafter, France Telecom acquired Orange for an estimate €39.7 from Vodafone, creating Europe’s second-largest mobile phone company.

Difference between Vodafone and Orange

Footprint

– Vodafone is a British multinational telecommunications company and one of the largest mobile phone operators in the world with a worldwide coverage and footprint in the regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Vodafone offers its service services in over 25 countries and has partnered with several other networks spanning over 45 countries. Orange is one of the largest mobile operators in the world serving over 250 million customers in over 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Orange is the brand used by France Telecom for its mobile network operator, landline and internet service provider.

History

– Vodafone was formed as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics Plc, the UK’s largest provider of military defense electronics. In 1991, Racal Electronics and Vodafone were fully demerged and Vodafone Group became an independent company and listed on the New York and London Stock Exchanges, with Gerry Whent as its first chief executive. Orange Plc was formed in 1995 as a holding company for the Orange Group and the company went public in 1996. In 2001, France Telecom acquired Orange for an estimate €39.7 from Vodafone, creating Europe’s second-largest mobile phone company.

Services

– Orange is one of the leading telecommunications operators in the world owned by France Telecom Group, the largest telecommunication company in France and the third largest in Europe. The Orange brand covers mobile and fixed line communications, Internet and television services, and IPTV services in the majority of countries where the group operates. The group’s Orange Business Services division is a leader in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies in the US.

Vodafone operates mobile networks and provides related services in 30 countries and has partners in more than 40 other countries. It operates fixed DSL networks, cable, IPTV and satellite networks and has developed new services like mobile payments and money transfer, m-health, enterprise IT services, telephony and cloud computing, machine-to-machine services, and more. Its business services division, Vodafone Global Enterprise, is one of the leading providers of managed mobility services, device management and solutions to global enterprise customers.

Vodafone vs. Orange: Comparison Chart

Summary

Vodafone and Orange are the two largest mobile phone operators in the world with a worldwide coverage and footprint in the regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Vodafone is one of the largest mobile phone operators in the world and operates mobile networks and provides related services in 30 countries and has partners in more than 40 other countries. Orange, on the other hand, is one of the leading telecommunications operators in the world owned by France Telecom Group, the largest telecommunication company in France and the third largest in Europe.

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