French telecommunications firm Orange has announced a new partnership with Google to bring the best of mobile internet across its full African and Middle Eastern (Orange MEA) footprint.

A statement released yesterday claims the partnership combines the strength of Orange's mobile network and mobile expertise with Google's mobile applications and "offers customers the best of both partners in terms of access and content through an all-inclusive digital communication package."

Customers across the Orange MEA footprint can access a range of online services including popular content covering fashion, sport and music, as well as everyday tools such as Google Search™, YouTube™ and Google Maps™.

The partners will initiate an educational campaign to assist customers with mobile internet, and accessing information.

According to the statement "The digital communication package is especially well-adapted to youth who have high data usage and want the latest generation smartphone. Customers will receive one of the most competitively priced tariff plans in the region starting at $40, which will consist of a high-specification smartphone and a communication bundle with voice, SMS and data."

The offer will be delivered in a phased approach and will start to roll-out across the full Orange MEA footprint in Q2 this year.

The device will launch with the native set of Google services and the goal of the partnership is to develop local services and content over time, the company's claim.

"As the first pan-Africa and Middle East mobile partnership with Google on this scale, we are able to bring direct value to our customers by offering the best access and services to ensure they get the most out of the mobile internet," says Yves Maitre, Executive Vice President of Connected Objects and Partnerships, Orange. "Through this all-inclusive digital communications package, we are proud to continue our promise to deliver affordable internet access across the region and connect people to what is essential in their lives."

Richard Turner, Director Android Partnerships for Europe, the Middle East and Africa says: "Today, over three billion people across the world are using the internet to live better, richer lives and create opportunities for themselves and their communities. The driving force behind this growth - particularly in Africa and the Middle East - is smartphones. We are very excited to work with Orange to bring together data services, content and a high quality Android™ device to provide a great experience for first-time or experienced smartphone users."

According to Orange the offer will launch on the Orange Rise 31 Special Edition 3G device.