By using the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method, this paper presents the influence of orthotropic material on the frequency characteristics for a rotating thin truncated circular symmetrical cross-ply laminated composite conical shell with simply-supported boundary conditions at both edges. The present analysis includes the effects of initial hoop tension and the centrifugal and coriolis accelerations due to rotation. Frequency characteristics is obtained for various orthotropic parameters; the orthotropic influences of material on the frequency characteristics are also discussed for different cone angles. To validate the accuracy and efficiency of present analysis by the GDQ method, comparisons are made with those available in open literature; very good agreements are achieved.