FT Intros Orange Labs Network 636979

PARIS -- France Telecom announces the launch of its Orange Labs network, which groups all of its entities dedicated to innovation around the world. This announcement solidifies France Telecom's ambition as a benchmark telecommunications operator that delivers innovative, user-focused services to its customers in 220 countries and territories around the world.

The Orange Labs network includes the 15 R & D laboratories in 7 countries (France, China, Japan, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom and Poland): each R & D site is integrated into its own geographic ecosystem, enabling it to leverage the technological advances and evolving user habits around the world. The network also integrates the Technocentre based in Chatillon and the Explocentre in Paris, which operate as nerve centers for all new products or services.

"In 2006 we grouped our products and services together under the Orange banner in order to guarantee a unique experience based on convenience and simplicity to our clients," said Didier Lombard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of France Telecom. "Multi-disciplinary teams are at the heart of the Orange Labs network, which is built on the qualities of simplicity, innovation and uniformity to best leverage our R & D expertise in the new world of telecommunications."

Orange (NYSE: FTE)