Orange’s virtual reality (VR) headset and VR 360 discovery app will soon be rolled out in a number of European countries and is aimed at customers “making their first steps into the VR world”.

Prices start at €49.99 and vary per country. The VR1 is supplied by Strax, a mobile device accessories specialist, and works with most iOS and Android smartphones with screens of 4.7 inch to 6 inches.  The operator describes it as “mid-range”.

The VR1 comes in black, with in-built hi-fi headphones, weighs 410 grams, and has a large visual angle with a 120 degree field of view. It also has a leather face cushion for comfort and a multi-function button to pause/play and answer calls.

The VR 360 discovery app allows customers to access a tutorial to set up the device, and gives them access to 360 video content including a gaming experience, a sci-fi clip and an educational video.

The app “will continue to evolve and be updated with new content and experiences,” the operator said.

Customers in France will be able to access more content over the coming months with ‘Orange VR Experience’ which will feature premium videos.

Orange believes that with its “extensive, high-speed network coverage, it is primed to deliver the crucial elements for the VR experience and to drive consumer adoption through VR solutions.”

“We want to position Orange at the forefront of the VR revolution, creating new virtual experiences for our customers in an effortless manner,” commented Yves Maitre, executive VP of the Connected Objects and Partnership team.

The VR1 will be rolled out across several European markets over the next three months including France, Spain, Belgium, Poland and Luxembourg, with other countries to follow.

Orange is not the first operator to launch its own branded headset. Back in June, Vodafone introduced a VR headset in the UK that can be used with its flagship Smart Platinum 7 smartphone, with support for Google Cardboard’s VR experience.