Changes

| businesses      =  

| businesses      =  

| products        =  

| products        =  

| employees      =  161,390 <ref>

| employees      =  161,390<ref>

[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/invest-analysts/consresults/att00018547/consolidatedfinancialstatements2010Francetelecom.pdf Consolidated Financial Statements]</ref>

[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/invest-analysts/consresults/att00018547/consolidatedfinancialstatements2010Francetelecom.pdf Consolidated Financial Statements]</ref>

| revenue        = €45.50 billion AS OF 2010 <ref>

| revenue        = €45.50 billion AS OF 2010<ref>

[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/invest-analysts/consresults/att00018547/consolidatedfinancialstatements2010Francetelecom.pdf Consolidated Financial Statements]</ref>

[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/invest-analysts/consresults/att00018547/consolidatedfinancialstatements2010Francetelecom.pdf Consolidated Financial Statements]</ref>

| website        = [http://www.francetelecom.com/en_EN/ www.francetelecom.com]

| website        = [http://www.francetelecom.com/en_EN/ www.francetelecom.com]

| twitter        = orange

| twitter        = orange

| keypeople      = [[Stéphane Richard]], Chairman & CEO

| keypeople      = [[Stéphane Richard]], Chairman & CEO

}}

}}

 

'''France Telecom''' is the primary telecommunications operator in France, with 221 million customers as of 2011. The company's corporate brand is Orange, the main mobile communications and Internet Provider in Europe. France Telecom trades in Paris and New York Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol FTE. It operates in Asia Pacific, Europe, France, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, North America, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom. France Telecom employs 169,000 million workers worldwide.<ref>[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/group/ France Telecom Orange Group]</ref>

'''France Telecom'''is the primary telecommunications operator in France with 221 million customers as of 2011. Orange, the company's corporate brand is Orange, the main mobile communications and internet provider in Europe. France Telecom trades in Paris and New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FTE. It operates in Asia Pacific, Europe, France, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, North America, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom. France Telecom employs 169,000 million workers worldwide. Its' headquarters is located in Paris, France. [[Stéphane Richard]] is the current Chairman & CEO of the company.<ref>[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/group/ France Telecom Orange Group]</ref>

==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. <ref>

France Telecom was established as Direction Générale des Télécommunications in 1889 as part of the French Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, which it remained as  until 1988. After the invention of telegraphy and telephony, the French government monopolized the country's telecommunications services, but in 1987, the [[European Commission]] initiated the liberalization of the telecommunications market in European countries, publishing 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, which formed France Telecom as a “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, still under control of the government. In 1995, the Direction Général des Postes et Télécommunications (DGPT) issued a 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 then privatized in 1997. The following year, the telecommunications industry in France became open to competition.<ref>

[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>  

<ref>[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/group/governance/att00008709/Bylawsupdated19.01.2011.pdf France Telecom Bylaws]</ref>  

<ref>[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/group/governance/att00008709/Bylawsupdated19.01.2011.pdf France Telecom Bylaws]</ref>  

==Business Portfolio==

==Business Portfolio==

France Telecom's business is focused on providing the following services:<ref>[http://www.orange-business.com/en/mnc2/about-us/who-we-are/ About France Telecom]</ref>

France Telecom's business is focused on providing the following services:

* Local and international telephony

* Local and international telephony

* Wireless

* Wireless

* Multimedia

* Multimedia

* Data  

* Data  

* Broadcast and cable TV service

* Broadcast and cable TV service<ref>[http://www.orange-business.com/en/mnc2/about-us/who-we-are/ About France Telecom]</ref>

 

France Telecom has seven geographical segments which include:

A complete list of the France Telecom's subsidiary companies under its' business segments is available [http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/documentation/att00013350/comptesconsolids_eng_miseenligne404042011.pdf here]

A complete list of the France Telecom's subsidiary companies under its' business segments is available [http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/documentation/att00013350/comptesconsolids_eng_miseenligne404042011.pdf here].

==Orange Business Services Brand==

===Orange Business Services 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> 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.

In 2000, France Telecom purchased Orange, a mobile phone operator owned by Vodafone AirTouch and based in United Kingdom, 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.<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., selling 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, which had been 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.

==Wanadoo==

===Wanadoo===

In 1996, France Telecom entered the internet business by launching Wanadoo, a wholly-owned subsidiary to serve as internet service provider (ISP). The company managed the PagesJaunes, an online yellow pages. In 1997, the company partnered with  [[Microsoft]]'s MSN to compete with AOL in  France. When MSN decided to exit the French market in 1998, Wanadoo absorbed its subscribers. This made the company the leading internet service provider in France.<ref>[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/99/Wanadoo-S-A.html Reference for Business: Wanadoo Company Profile]</ref> The following year, the company purchased Alapage.com, an online retail store selling books, videos and music. The company expanded in Spain, Netherlands and Belgium. In 2000, the company was listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange. During the same year, the company also acquired Marcopoly, a home appliance and electronics company. The following year, the company acquired Freeserve, an ISP based in United Kingdom. Freeserve was re-launched as Wanadoo, UK.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4474657/French-Wanadoo-buys-Freeserve.html French Wanadoo Buys Freeserve]</ref> This was succeeded by its acquisition of EresMas, an ISP  and portal in Spain.<ref>

In 1996, France Telecom entered the internet business by launching Wanadoo, a wholly-owned subsidiary to serve as internet service provider (ISP). The company managed the PagesJaunes, an online yellow pages. In 1997, the company partnered with  [[Microsoft]]'s MSN to compete with AOL in  France. When MSN decided to exit the French market in 1998, Wanadoo absorbed its subscribers. This made the company the leading internet service provider in France.<ref>[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/99/Wanadoo-S-A.html Reference for Business: Wanadoo Company Profile]</ref> The following year, the company purchased Alapage.com, an online retail store selling books, videos and music. The company expanded in Spain, Netherlands and Belgium. In 2000, the company was listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange. During the same year, the company also acquired Marcopoly, a home appliance and electronics company. The following year, the company acquired Freeserve, an ISP based in United Kingdom. Freeserve was re-launched as Wanadoo, UK.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4474657/French-Wanadoo-buys-Freeserve.html French Wanadoo Buys Freeserve]</ref> This was succeeded by its acquisition of EresMas, an ISP  and portal in Spain.<ref>

[http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/internet-technology/218781-1.html Wanadoo acquires EresMas to become 2nd largest ISP in Europe]</ref>

[http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/internet-technology/218781-1.html Wanadoo acquires EresMas to become 2nd largest ISP in Europe]</ref>