Another operator-on-operator service: Orange ON

After the launch of Vodafone 360, there is now another entrant into the fray for mobile operators offering so-called "over the top" applications themselves, from the usually ultra-conservative Orange.

There's an article about it here . I'm at the Telco 2.0 event in Orlando today, but will try to chase down more details when I can.

One tantalising snippet though:

"Although the final details are yet to be confirmed, the network is looking at offering VoIP-type services in markets where Orange does not have a presence. It is understood that this could eventually be rolled out to customers on other networks where Orange does have a footing"

I think that this sort of operator-on-operator competition will be a major disruptor in 2010-2011. I've been talking about the idea for a few years, but it's needed a critical mass of smartphones and appstore-type delivery mechanisms to make it practical.

For some history on this concept, see a previous post here.