MOBILE phone operator Orange has signed up its ten millionth customer, more than doubling its customer numbers in the past 12 months.

Over the past year it has added more than five million new customers to its ever-expanding base, and it is continually looking to further develop its service to offer more benefits to customers.

John Allwood, executive vice-president, UK, at Orange, said the operator's success was down its response to the ever-increasing demands of its customers.

He said: "As the mobile market becomes more competitive, consumers are becoming more demanding.

"Orange is committed to providing the best mobile phone service in the UK, and we are pleased that consumers have recognised this.

"We have just launched a new advertising campaign to support Orange Internet, providing multi-media services direct to people's phones which will help them receive the information they need wherever, whenever and however they choose."

Orange was recently named Network of the Year in What Cellphone magazine's annual survey for the fifth time.

The magazine highlighted the company's innovation, customer service and quality