Changes

==Background==

==Background==

France Telecom was established as Direction Générale des Télécommunications from 1889 until 1988 as part of the French Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Since the invention of telegraphy and telephony, the French government monopolized the telecommunications services in the country. In 1987, The European Commission initiated the liberalization of the telecommunications market in European countries and published the ''“Green Paper on the Development of the Common Market for Telecommunications Services and Equipment.”'' On July 2, 1990, the French law no. 90-568 was enacted to form France Telecom as “société anonyme” (French Corporation),  a public service provider governed by corporate law in accordance with the French Postal and Telecommunication Code. In 1991, French Telecom became an independent operator under public law, which means it is still controlled  by the government. In 1995, the Direction Général des Postes et Télécommunications (DGPT) issued public consultation document to open competition in the telecommunications industry. In 1996, the French Parliament enacted the Experimental Licensing Bill and eventually on December 31, 1996, French Telecom was incorporated and became privatized in 1997. The following year, the telecommunications industry in France became open to competition.

France Telecom was established as Direction Générale des Télécommunications from 1889 until 1988 as part of the French Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Since the invention of telegraphy and telephony, the French government monopolized the telecommunications services in the country. In 1987, The European Commission initiated the liberalization of the telecommunications market in European countries and published the ''“Green Paper on the Development of the Common Market for Telecommunications Services and Equipment.”'' On July 2, 1990, the French law no. 90-568 was enacted to form France Telecom as “société anonyme” (French Corporation),  a public service provider governed by corporate law in accordance with the French Postal and Telecommunication Code. In 1991, French Telecom became an independent operator under public law, which means it is still controlled  by the government. In 1995, the Direction Général des Postes et Télécommunications (DGPT) issued public consultation document to open competition in the telecommunications industry. In 1996, the French Parliament enacted the Experimental Licensing Bill and eventually on December 31, 1996, French Telecom was incorporated and became privatized in 1997. The following year, the telecommunications industry in France became open to competition. At present, French government owns 27 percent stakes in the company.

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[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/36/35/32482712.pdf Regulatory Reform in France, Regulatory Reform in the Telecommunications Sector]</ref>  

[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/36/35/32482712.pdf Regulatory Reform in France, Regulatory Reform in the Telecommunications Sector]</ref>  

==The Orange Brand==

==The Orange Brand==

In 2000, France Telecom purchased Orange, a mobile phone operator based in United Kingdom owned by Vodafone AirTouch for 40.3 billion dollars.  The transaction allowed the company to combine its cellular business with Orange to create the second largest mobile phone company in Europe. A major move for France Telecom to position the company as the European leader and global player in the telecommunications industry. <ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2000/05/30/deals/orange/ France Telecom to form Europe's No. 2 mobile firm after buying UK player]</ref> In 2001, France Telecom formed the Orange Telecom Plc. and sold 15% of its shares during the Initial Public Public Offering.<ref>[http://www.prweb.com/releases/Orange/Tuesday/prweb2362604.htm Orange Tuesday happy birthday to Orange Telecom which celebrates its fifteenth irthday with an unusual twist - cupcakes]</ref> In 2003, the company bought back the 13 percent minority shares it does not own worth $ 7.8 billion dollars. This decision was prompted by a bill passed by the French government granting France Telecom the option to buy out the minority shareholders of Orange and Wanadoo, the company's internet business division.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/09/01/france.telecom.reut/ France Telecom in Orange buyout]</ref>

In 2000, France Telecom purchased Orange, a mobile phone operator based in United Kingdom owned by Vodafone AirTouch for 40.3 billion dollars.  The transaction allowed the company to combine its cellular business with Orange to create the second largest mobile phone company in Europe. A major move for France Telecom to position the company as the European leader and global player in the telecommunications industry. <ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2000/05/30/deals/orange/ France Telecom to form Europe's No. 2 mobile firm after buying UK player]</ref> In 2001, France Telecom formed the Orange Telecom Plc. and sold 15% of its shares during the Initial Public Public Offering.<ref>[http://www.prweb.com/releases/Orange/Tuesday/prweb2362604.htm Orange Tuesday happy birthday to Orange Telecom which celebrates its fifteenth irthday with an unusual twist - cupcakes]</ref> In 2003, the company bought back the 13 percent minority shares it does not own worth $ 7.8 billion dollars. This decision was prompted by a bill passed by the French government granting France Telecom the option to buy out the minority shareholders of Orange and Wanadoo, the company's internet business division.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/09/01/france.telecom.reut/ France Telecom in Orange buyout]</ref> At present, Orange has more than 144 million customers. In 2007, Milward Brown Optimor ranked the company as one of the world's most powerful brands.

==References==

==References==