Changes

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.

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/Orange Broadband===

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 also managed 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 then expanded into 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 the United Kingdom. Freeserve was relaunched 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> In 2003, the company sold its Belgian ISP subsidiary to Tiscali, Pan-European ISP for 6.5 million euro.<ref>[http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240049452/Tiscali-buys-Wanadoo-Belgium Tiscali buys Wanadoo Belgium]</ref> In 2004, France Telecom decided to buy out the minority shares of Wanadoo's investors to gain full control of the company.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3512645.stm France Telecom's Wanadoo buyout]</ref> The French Stock Exchange approved France Telecom's plan, and subsequently French Telecom regained full control of its ISP subsidiary.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/09/france_telecom_cleared_to_buy/ France Telecom cleared to buy back Wanadoo]</ref> In 2006, France Telecom re-branded Wanadoo as Orange Broadband.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/may/22/newmedia.marketingandpr Wanadoo rebrands as Orange Broadband]</ref>

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

In 2003, the company sold its Belgian ISP subsidiary to Tiscali, Pan-European ISP for 6.5 million euros.<ref>[http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240049452/Tiscali-buys-Wanadoo-Belgium Tiscali buys Wanadoo Belgium]</ref> In 2004, France Telecom decided to buy out the minority shares of Wanadoo's investors to gain full control of the company.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3512645.stm France Telecom's Wanadoo buyout]</ref> The French Stock Exchange approved France Telecom's plan. The company's regained full control of its ISP subsidiary.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/09/france_telecom_cleared_to_buy/ France Telecom cleared to buy back Wanadoo]</ref> In 2006, France Telecom re-branded Wanadoo as Orange Broadband.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/may/22/newmedia.marketingandpr Wanadoo rebrands as Orange Broadband]</ref>

==French Government Ends Majority Control==

==French Government Ends Majority Control==

In 2004, the French government decided to end its majority control over France Telecom and sold as much as 299 million shares reducing its stakes to the company to less than 50 percent. The sale was initiated by then Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy to cut the public debt of France and bring it within the standard limitation (60% of gross domestic product) set by the European Union. Sarcozy's hope in reducing the government's holdings in the company will ""increased room to maneuver in order to adapt 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> The French government sold 10.85 percent reducing its' company holdings to 42.25 percent. 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>

[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>

In 2007, when Nicolas Sarkozy became Prime Minister of France, the French government once again sold at least 5 percent of its holdings to the company to 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 the company.<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>

==Orange Foundation==

==Orange Foundation==

In 1987, France Telecom established the Orange Foundations to carry out the company's philanthropy activities. The foundation is focused in providing services in the areas of health and disability particularly to those individuals suffering from autism, vision and hearing impairments and education to fight illiteracy by providing access to basic knowledge, training, educational materials and educating young girls in developing countries. Orange Foundation's philanthropic initiatives are conducted in 30 countries within Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. As of 2009, 410 projects were supported by the foundation.<ref>[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/documentation/annual-reports/att00014094/FTEL_1005297_complet_GB.indd_RVB.pdf Annual and Corporate Responsibility Report 2009]</ref>

In 1987, France Telecom established the Orange Foundations to carry out the company's philanthropic activities. The foundation is focused on providing services in the areas of health and disability, particularly to those individuals suffering from autism, and vision and hearing impairments; education to fight illiteracy by providing access to basic knowledge, training, educational materials; and education for young girls in developing countries. Orange Foundation's initiatives are conducted in 30 countries within Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. As of 2009, 410 projects were supported by the foundation.<ref>[http://www.orange.com/en_EN/finance/documentation/annual-reports/att00014094/FTEL_1005297_complet_GB.indd_RVB.pdf Annual and Corporate Responsibility Report 2009]</ref>

==ICANN Involvement==

==ICANN Involvement==