Troubled UK ISP Orange has reintroduced its free broadband promotion, which will be available in-store to customers that take one of the operators £30 per month or more mobile phone contracts. The move is being seen as an attempt by the ISP to halt its churn, which over the past few quarters has seen many customers leave for rivals (here).

There were a total of 1.063 million Orange UK broadband (ADSL) subscribers at 30th June 2008, a 2.5% decline in relation to 30th June 2007. The operators Internet access division has suffered as a result of the competitive market, network congestion, support issues and other problems. However, it claims the situation has now improved:


It's not clear what scores Orange are referring to, although consumer magazine Which? recently put them in second to last place on its "Don't Buy" list for broadband ISPs. Customers that do choose to adopt Orange's free broadband promotion will receive the providers basic 'Home Starter' package.

This includes speeds of 'up to' 2Mbps, a respectable 6GB monthly data allowance, inclusive evening and weekend UK home phone calls, the McAfee® Privacy Service and a wireless router among other things. Expect to be locked into a lengthy 18 month contract though.