Changes

==History==

==History==

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. In June 1997, the company entered the Paris Bourse and sold  shares worth 25 to 40 billion French francs. In 1998, the France Telecom was privatized and the telecommunications industry in France became open to competition. The government still owns 27 percent stake in the corporation.<ref>

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. In June 1997, the company entered the Paris Bourse and sold  shares worth 25 to 40 billion French francs and became privatized. In 1998, the telecommunications industry in France became open to competition.

At present, the French government still owns 27 percent stake in the corporation. <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>