Ambitious mobile phone operator Orange is planning an assault on the US market. The company, owned by Hutchison Whampoa, is said to be considering a number of options for such a move. These include establishing semi-formal arrangements with US operators which would give it access to an extended network without having to follow the giant-acquisition trail blazed by Vodafone earlier this year. According to today's Daily Telegraph, the move could happen in the next 18 months and a likely vehicle for such a deal would be Voicestream a US mobile outfit which is part owned by Hutchison Whampoa. Voicestream has recently concluded a merger with Omnipoint. ®