Orange and Google have signed a partnership that aims to facilitate access to Google's services across Africa by leveraging Orange's networks. This will enable Orange's mobile customers to stay in touch with their Google services and Google users to extend their network by using SMS-based services. The Gmail SMS Chat service, which will eventually be launched across Orange's footprint in Africa and the Middle East, is already available in Senegal, Uganda and Kenya. It will be launched in four additional countries - Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Conakry and Niger - in the coming months, and will be launched as a trial in Egypt at Mobinil. Orange and Google are now looking to extend this partnership to include other services. Orange gas a total customer base of around 60 million across the continent.
