Orange Selects IBM Mobile Security Solutions For Its 50m Mobile Customers
IBM and Orange Use Identity Federation to Help Deliver on Demand Services With Increased Security and Lower Costs
ARMONK, NY and PARIS -/July 26, 2004 - The Wi-Fi Technology Forum/- IBM announced that Orange has selected IBM software and services to give its 50 million mobile phone customers the ability to sign on to accounts only once and securely access different mobile services or Websites, such as instant messaging, location-based services, games, online banking and e-mail.
To improve the experience of its customers and service usage, Orange will use IBM software that complies with the Liberty 1.1 specification for single sign-on, a specification that allows identity data to communicate over disparate networks.
Orange is connecting its system using Web services. This allows the company's various subsidiaries and third-party content providers, such as an online bank or email provider, to access the Orange network and make additional services rapidly available to Orange customers. Additionally, Orange sister companies within the France Telecom group and third-party content providers will not have to incur the expense of creating, enrolling or managing individual identity accounts for each Orange customer using their services.
The software involved allows companies that have a relationship with Orange to access the Orange network regardless of underlying technologies being used.
"As we offer more services to our large customer base, customers demand the ease of having single sign-on across their mobile and ISP services," said Jean-Paul Maury, Vice President, Technologies, Strategic Partnerships and New Usages, "Group Transversal Projects," France Telecom. "We continuously look for more efficient ways to secure systems and administer users effectively, and identity federation is the next frontier."
"With the help of IBM, Orange can offer customers the ability to access a wide assortment of content while maintaining an enjoyable user experience," said Elly Keinan, vice president, EMEA Communications Sector, IBM. "This could only have been possible with IBM software, built on open standards, and the industry expertise of IBM Business Consulting Services."
IBM software used by Orange includes WebSphere middleware and Tivoli Access Manager, which complies with Liberty 1.1 specification.
About France Telecom
France Telecom is one of the world's leading telecommunications carriers, with 118,6 million customers on the five continents (220 countries and territories) and consolidated operating revenues of 46.1 billion euros in 2003 (11.45 billion euros for 1st quarter 2004). Through its major international brands, including Orange, Wanadoo, Equant and GlobeCast, France Telecom provides businesses, consumers and other carriers with a complete portfolio of solutions that spans local, long-distance and international telephony, wireless, Internet, multimedia, data, broadcast and cable TV services. France Telecom is second leading wireless operator and the number two Internet service provider in Europe, and a world leader in telecommunications solutions for multinational corporations. France Telecom is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.
About Orange
Orange and wirefree are trademarks of Orange PCS. The Orange group is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies and a subsidiary of the France Telecom group, with operations in 19 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, Slovakia, Thailand, the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic, Cameroon, the Netherlands, Botswana and Madagascar. The Orange group also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar). The Orange group has a joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in Portugal (Optimus), Austria (One), and Mumbai/India (BPL Mobile). As at the end of March 2004, Orange was the largest mobile operator in both the UK with 13.8 million active customers, and France with 20.4 million registered customers. As at the end of March 2004, Orange controlled companies had over 50 million customers worldwide. Orange, along with TIM, Telefonica and T-Mobile, is a founding member of the FreeMove alliance. Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at
http://www.orange.com.
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key business partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, financing, solutions and technologies that enable customers to take full advantage of the on demand era. More information about IBM can be found on the web at
http://www.ibm.com.
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