Orange Goes to Kenya

PARIS -- On 17 September 2008, Orange will become the commercial brand for Telkom Kenya, the country’s historical operator, following France Telecom’s acquisition of 51% of its capital in December 2007. Telkom Kenya therefore joins a worldwide community of 115 million Orange customers and becomes the first integrated operator in the country, proposing fixed and mobile telephony alongside Internet services. In parallel, a Foundation will be established to develop corporate philanthropy actions in the country, as has been the Orange Foundation policy for the last 20 years in countries where the Group operates.

First integrated operator in Kenya

The launch of the new GSM network, alongside new mobile and broadband Internet offers under the Orange brand constitutes a decisive step in Telkom Kenya’s development. The historical operator will now offer the Kenyan population convergent services in mobile, fixed and Internet telecommunications. Kenyan customers will benefit from a first-rate quality of service. Initially, broadband Internet and mobile offers will be available in Nairobi and Mombassa only, but this will be progressively extended and rolled out across the whole country by the end of the year. Additionally, with the arrival of undersea cables planned for 2009 and a pricing policy adapted to the country, Telkom Kenya is setting itself up to adopt a leadership position in broadband Internet.

With 34 million residents and a mobile user rate of 30% today, there is an excellent potential for growth in Kenya. To allow Telkom Kenya to develop its activities fully, €58 million have been invested in network infrastructures since the beginning of 2008. Today, its ambition is to increase its customer base to 1.5 million customers within a year (from 500,000 customers today), through high quality services and the strength of the Orange brand. Classified as the world’s 50th largest brand by Millward Brown in 2008, today Orange covers all the Group’s broadband services (mobile, Internet, TV) and the content published on these three screens, thereby integrating the most recent developments in the digital revolution.

Nairobi celebrates the arrival of Orange

To celebrate the arrival of Orange in Kenya, a parade will take place in Orange colours on 20 September in Nairobi. Over 25,000 people are expected to participate. Starting in the morning, four convoys will converge on Uhuru Garden to the accompaniment of music. The public will be entertained by a spectacular show involving Kenyan and international artists, an activity village (concerts, jugglers, face-painting, acrobats), as well as demonstration stands and information booths presenting Orange offers. The day will close with a firework display.

Establishment of Orange Foundation in Kenya

In parallel, Telkom Kenya and Orange have announced that they are setting up a Foundation that will support local corporate philanthropy actions, in line with the activities of the Orange Foundation in 16 other African countries where the Group operates, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. These activities are centred on three areas: health, education and culture.

Orange France (Paris: OGE)