Attention Orange Customers!

[Guest The_Agent]

For those of you eagerly anticipating the release of the Messaging & Security Feature Pack (MSFP) update for your shiny new Orange SPV's, I'm afraid the future looks rather dull.

I recently contacted Orange Business Services to ask when they would be releasing the MSFP update for their new range of WM5 SPV's. Several hours and eight departments later, I was eventually informed that their official line was:

"Since the Messaging & Security Feature Pack is not revenue generating and it is not required for these devices to function on the Orange network, we will not be releasing an update for those devices currently in circulation".

Nice. Well at least their accountant is happy!

I thought I had better contact at least one other OEM before having a go at Orange, so I sent an e-mail to I-Mate. Their customer services were very efficient and replied after about 30 minutes with the following:

"Thank you for writing in and for your interest in I-Mate products! Regarding your query, the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 devices will be available as a free ROM upgrade on clubimate to registered users. We expect to make the upgrade available in early 2006"

I would like to thank I-Mate for this; I have to say, this is the sort of response I would have expected from Orange.

Of course Microsoft will eventually bundle the MSFP with WM5, so at some point in the distant future all SPV’s will include this update from new. This isn’t the point however; the introduction of WM5 and the MSFP is possibly the most significant advance in mobile data exchange (for Microsoft products at least), and I am sure that I speak for many businesses when I say that it was the prospect of having this additional functionality which was the deciding factor in the purchase of their new WM5 devices.

If you, like me, recently purchased one or more Orange SPV’s in the hope that you could take advantage of the full functionality of WM5 and Exchange SP2 (once the MSFP update had been released), I suggest you make yourself know to Orange and be sure they get the message loud and clear, ‘cos at the moment they don’t seem to realise just how important this update is for their business customers.

If you don’t make yourself heard then, in order to get this enhanced functionality, you will probably end up having to wait until late summer before being able to buy an SPV with the MSFP pre-installed. Don’t forget, Orange will not sell you a handset without a sim, so if you are not due for upgrade, you will either have to sign up for a new 12 month contract you don’t need or pay again for your desired handset if you are lucky enough to find it available on pay-as-you-go.

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My favourite quotes from speaking with Orange 2nd line data support regarding the MSFP (these are the guys who are “in the know” according to Orange Business Support):

"Messaging Feature...err, what was that again?"

"I'm just gonna look it up on Yahoo, d'ya mind if I put you on hold?"

[Guest chucky.egg]

I've asked our Account Manager to comment on this and clarify the official line.

Will post back as/when he has anything to say.

[Guest]

I will try and find o2's stance on this

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

MSFP IS revenue generating, Push Email = GPRS revenue.

Expect to see it everywhere ;)

P

[Guest Will]

great, time for a nice call i think, i certainly want push!

just locked myself into an 18month contract for voicecalls, but my data sim is able to move to any operator who gives what i need.

MSFP is essential, it's the future, it's what we want, and we'll pay to use it..

Maybe it's gunna be free on PAYG? - =D>

any line for T-Mobile's view of MSFT updates?

[Guest smudgersmith]

Afraid you've got it all wrong "The_agent". Read your post and got concerened so spoke with Orange Business Customer Services. They confirmed that MSFP/AKU2 update will be made available to all users of WM5 devices, yes, especially those shipped before the MSFP is available. You will not be able to update Windows Mobile 2003 devices to WM5 but we all knew that anyway. Work for iMate by any chance?

[Guest TonyL]

Word on the street from my Orange account manager :

Orange will be supporting MSFP on SPVC600 and M5000 and other devices from around May time...

[Guest minty1978]

check out this news story i spotted on coolsmartphone:

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news2183.html

any idea when its coming from t-mobile?

[Guest fraser]

"Since the Messaging & Security Feature Pack is not revenue generating and it is not required for these devices to function on the Orange network, we will not be releasing an update for those devices currently in circulation".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

W0W, what an honest answer. I'm pleasantly surprised, OK the decision sucks but their openness is very unusual. Normally they just make up a lie along the lines of "no demand" as opposed to "what's in it for us?". :)

Edited February 22, 2006 by fraser