France Telecom

Type:	Public Limited
Industry:	Telecommunications
Founded:	1988
Headquarters:	15th arrondissement, Paris
Country:	France
Employees:	161,390
Revenue:	€45.50 billion AS OF 2010
Website:	www.francetelecom.com
Facebook:	Orange
Twitter:	@orange
Key People
Stéphane Richard, Chairman & CEO

France Telecomis the primary telecommunications operator in France with 221 million customers as of 2011. Orange, the company's corporate brand is the main mobile communications and internet provider in Europe. It serves more than 30 million consumers. Its headquarters is located in Paris, France. Stéphane Richard is the current Chairman & CEO of the company.

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.