Changes

A complete list of 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 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].

==French Government Ends Majority Control==

==End of French Gov't Majority Control==

In 2004, the French government decided to end its majority control over France Telecom and sold as many as 299 million shares, reducing its stake in the company by 10.85 percent, making its hold 42.25 percent. The sale was initiated by then-Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy in order to cut the public debt of France and bring it within the standard limitation (60% of gross domestic product) set by the European Union. In reducing the government's holdings in the company, Sarkozy's hope was to increase room to maneuvering room for adapting to future developments in the telecommunications market.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/02/news/02iht-ftel_ed3_.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Paris cedes control of telephone company]</ref> In 2005, the French government again offered $5.5 billion worth of its shares in the company to reduce its holding to less than 33 percent. The sale was initiated by then-Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.<ref>

In 2004, the French government decided to end its majority control over France Telecom and sold as many as 299 million shares, reducing its stake in the company by 10.85 percent, making its hold 42.25 percent. The sale was initiated by then-Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy in order to cut the public debt of France and bring it within the standard limitation (60% of gross domestic product) set by the European Union. In reducing the government's holdings in the company, Sarkozy's hope was to increase room to maneuvering room for adapting to future developments in the telecommunications market.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/02/news/02iht-ftel_ed3_.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Paris cedes control of telephone company]</ref> In 2005, the French government again offered $5.5 billion worth of its shares in the company to reduce its holding to less than 33 percent. The sale was initiated by then-Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.<ref>

[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aYPP4tXAYCqs&refer=europe France Sells France Telecom Stake to Reduce Debt]</ref> In 2007, when Nicolas Sarkozy became Prime Minister of France, the French government once again sold at least 5 percent of its holdings in the company to yet again reduce the country's debt.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6236672.stm Share sale dents France Telecom]</ref> At present, French government owns 27 percent stakes in France Telecom.<ref>[http://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2011.1_Jan/ROB/LEADERS-Didier-Lombard-France-Telecom.html The Future of Telecommunications: An Interview with Didier Lombard, Chairman of the Board, France Telecom]</ref>

[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aYPP4tXAYCqs&refer=europe France Sells France Telecom Stake to Reduce Debt]</ref> In 2007, when Nicolas Sarkozy became Prime Minister of France, the French government once again sold at least 5 percent of its holdings in the company to yet again reduce the country's debt.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6236672.stm Share sale dents France Telecom]</ref> At present, French government owns 27 percent stakes in France Telecom.<ref>[http://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2011.1_Jan/ROB/LEADERS-Didier-Lombard-France-Telecom.html The Future of Telecommunications: An Interview with Didier Lombard, Chairman of the Board, France Telecom]</ref>