Orange UK Finally Scraps FREE Broadband for LIFE Deal for Mobile Users

Mobile operator Orange UK (EE) has reportedly taken the decision to completely cease its old “FREE broadband FOR LIFE” service, which between 2006 and 2009 offered a free home broadband connection to customers on their mobile contracts.

The writing has been on the wall since August 2012 when the operator first announced that customers whom had taken the deal could “remain on their current plan” but would be required to “replace their existing line rental provider with our own competitively priced service.”

In other words users could keep the “FREE” home broadband but only if they swapped their phone line to Orange (i.e. robbing customers of the ability to take a potentially cheaper alternative).

An Orange spokeswoman told MoneySavingExpert:

“We can confirm ‘free broadband for life’ was not a marketing term used to promote the Orange free home broadband offer, provided to eligible Orange pay monthly mobile customers between 2006 and the end of 2009.

We always recommend customers review the terms and conditions of all our plans and offers and, as per the terms of the offer, Orange reserved the right to replace, amend or withdraw this offer on reasonable notice.”

It’s easy to understand why Orange might want to make its service more commercially viable, yet at the same time this is a poor way to treat existing customers and comes shortly after Orange UK and EE reported their first real growth in Home Broadband subscribers to 723,000 (here); hardly an ideal time to be pushing loyal customers away.

Today if you want to order Orange Home Broadband then you’ll be redirected to almost identical packages on the new EE website.