2008

Paris, 19 September, 2008

 

 

The award recognizes the achievements of Orange in developing its global IP network to deliver converged services to national and multinational companies in an unprecedented number of global markets. The Orange network currently reaches 220 countries and territories, with IP VPN access available in 151 countries. The company also has dedicated teams in more than 166 countries and territories worldwide.

 

Accepting the award, Andrew McFadzen, managing director, Orange Business Services UK & Ireland, said:  “We are delighted to receive this recognition from Global Telecoms Business. It is testament to our commitment as a company to continue innovating the network and the fundamental role IP VPN technology has to play in driving the growth and prosperity of global business.”

 

Orange is currently seeing a consistent increase in network traffic year-on-year of approximately 35 percent and the demand for converged services is increasing. The Orange IP VPN currently supports a number of capabilities including TelePresence, Multicast as well as fully converged voice over IP services.

 

“Our unrivalled network reach and dedicated, global consultancy team means that we can offer clients a truly consistent, high quality of service anywhere in the world. Our commitment to IP VPN technology will continue with investment in infrastructure and technology innovation and we will continually strive to develop the service we deliver to our customers even further.”

The Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards were first presented in 2007. Hundreds of nominations for the industry's innovative projects were received from the readers of Global Telecoms Business since early in 2008 in a number of key categories.
The winners, as selected by the judging panel, represent the most innovative projects in the industry worldwide in four key categories: fixed infrastructure and operations; wireless infrastructure and operations; business fixed and mobile service innovations; and consumer fixed and mobile service innovations

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. France Telecom serves close to 174 million customers in five continents as of June 30, 2008, of which two thirds are Orange customers. The Group had consolidated sales of 52.9 billion euros in 2007 (26.3 billion euros for the first half 2008). As of June 30, 2008, the Group had 113.8 million mobile customers and 12.2 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers.

Launched in June 2005, the NExT program (New Experience in Telecommunications) will enable the Group to pursue its transformation as an integrated operator and make France Telecom the benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. In 2006, Orange became the Group's single brand for Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company operates, and Orange Business Services the banner for services offered to businesses worldwide. France Telecom is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartiment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.