DRIVERS with an Orange phone can now access traffic information by dialling 177 on their mobile. Orange is using TrafficCall, part of the world's largest traffic and travel news reporting organisation, to provide regionalised traffic information, 24 hours a day.

Working through a voice prompted menu, customers can instantly select data from 19 geographical regions across the country. Several regions may be accessed with one call, enabling drivers to plan the most effective route for their journey.

Calls to the service are not included in customers' inclusive talk time but are charged by the second at 29 pence per minute off-peak and 39 pence per minute peak rate. This is 10 pence less than existing fixed-line premium rate services.