Half price mobile broadband for SMEs

Orange mobile broadband has cut its business rates by up to 50% until 31 July in a bid to stoke up small businesses’ interest in the technology.

Existing Orange business customers can now subscribe to Business Everywhere Unlimited mobile broadband for £7.50 per month.

Other small businesses can sign up for £10 per month.

Both packages are subject to a fair use policy.

Business take up of mobile broadband has been slower than mobile operators expected, and Orange’s offer is designed to encourage small businesses to try out the technology.

Orange has also launched three new dongles that will offer download speeds up to four times faster than current 3G+ technology.

After 31 July, Orange’s Business Everywhere Unlimited mobile broadband will cost £15, and Business Everywhere Traveller will cost £35 per month, include a 25MB roaming allowance.

Orange’s parent company, France Telecom, recently reported an 8.7% increase in fixed-line broadband subscribers during the first three months of 2009.