The UK arm of the worldwide telecoms company Orange has launched a new range of technology designed for use by Britain’s home-based workers, according to reports.

Dubbed Open Office, Orange UK’s latest release is designed to meet the internet connectivity needs of workers operating from home or on the move, which is becoming an increasingly common trend around the country.

By paying a single tariff, Orange’s Open Access customers will have broadband access in their homes, a mobile email system and mobile broadband access in Wi-Fi or 3G hotspots, reports ZDnet.

"Our research indicates that increasing levels of home and flexible working will be one of the defining business trends of this decade," Neil Laidler, acting vice president of Orange Business Services UK, is quoted as saying.

"Rather than daily commutes to a fixed place of work, employees will increasingly expect to work productively from a variety of locations, whether at home or on the road."

According to a report featured in the Financial Times recently the increase in broadband internet availability is driving the trend towards home-based working in the UK.