Jordan Telecom Group introduces Orange internet services

• The move is set to introduce new converged services to the local market and give customers the opportunity to enhance and simplify their daily lives, both at home and at work.
• The latest milestone in Jordan Telecom Group’s transformation into the region’s first truly integrated communications provider

(Amman, 9th June, 2007): Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) has officially announced the re-branding of Wanadoo internet services under the Orange trademark, the commercial brand of the world’s leading telecommunications operator France Telecom Group (FTG).

The move heralds JTG’s strategic plan to introduce Orange comprehensive services to the Jordanian market, JTG’s executives told the local media during a press meeting held on June 9th, 2007 at the Group’s headquarters.

“This step comes to reinforce the position of the Group’s internet service in the local market by keeping it up-to-date with the latest world class technologies, which will bear many positive results on our customers,” Chairman of the Board of Directors of JTG, Dr Shabib Ammari said. “The introduction of Orange is a direct benefit of the close relationship that we have with our major shareholder, the France Telecom Group,” he further added. “The Orange brand stands for challenging convention and superior quality service.”

In its preparations to join the Orange family and become fully integrated, the Group has undergone significant reorganization during 2006 that included the transformation of its four companies (Jordan Telecom, MobileCom, Wanadoo and e-Dimension) under one management structure in addition to the creation of individual business units (fixed, mobile, internet, content, and wholesale).

“Today, over 100 million customers in 220 different countries and territories across the globe are enjoying, with Orange, a world without barriers, where they can communicate freely,” the Group’s Vice President / CEO Home, Wassila Zitoune, commented on the strategic initiative.

Vice President JTG / CEO Enterprise, Sami Smeirat, said that introducing Orange services will bring to internet customers a whole new world of services without barriers.  “Through Orange, a leading brand that is present in 220 markets around the world, we will offer our customers the latest of services and technologies that enjoy innovation and simplicity, helping them to communicate and interact better in this fast moving world,” he added.

Orange is a revolutionary brand that has been known to change the way people communicate; that is why it is a top mobile and internet services brand in Europe.  With this announcement, JTG’s 49,000 internet and data services customers have joined the family of 9.7million Orange ADSL broadband users. 

Currently, Wanadoo provides services to more than 50% of the Jordanian market, securing its position of Jordan’s premiere internet service provider (ISP).  The company’s achievements enhanced the performance of civic society institutions, as well as the business and investment environs, by providing them with the capabilities of modern international digital and network technologies.

Before becoming Orange, Wanadoo was established in 1996 under the name of Global One, where it became shortly after its establishment the first ISP in the Kingdom. In 2000 Jordan Telecom acquired Global One, and changed its brand to Wanadoo, being the largest data service provider in the world.

About Orange:
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom Group, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with over 153 million customers in 220 countries worldwide.

In June 2006, as part of France Telecom Group's integrated operator strategy to deliver simple convergent products, Orange became the single brand for mobile, internet and TV offers in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain, strengthening Orange's position as the number two mobile and internet services brand in Europe. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions and services.

Since its launch in 1994 in the UK market, Orange has been synonymous with making mobile communications an intuitive part of everyday life. Today the home of Orange has become Paris following their acquisition by France Telecom in August 2000.  However, Orange is widely perceived as a global international brand stretching across the world.

About France Telecom:
France Telecom, one of the principal world telecommunications operators, had almost 160 million customers in five continents (220 countries or territories) as of December 31, 2006, out which two thirds are under the Orange brand. In 2006, the Group achieved consolidated revenues of 51.7 billion euros. Launched in June 2005, the NExT program (New Experience in Telecommunications) is enabling the Group to continue its conversion as an integrated operator in order to make France Telecom the operator of reference for the new telecommunications services in Europe.

Since June 2006, Orange became the Group's single brand for the Internet, television and wireless telephony in France, the United Kingdom the Netherlands and in Spain, and Orange Business Services became the brand for the services offered to business worldwide. France Telecom is the second largest wireless operator and Internet access provider in Europe and among the world leaders in telecommunications services for multinational companies.
France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on the Eurolist market of Euronext Paris and on the New York Stock Exchange.

About Jordan Telecom Group:
In 2000, France Telecom entered as a strategic partner and gradually increased its share in Jordan Telecom until it acquired 51% of shares to become the majority shareholder.

Jordan Telecom was first established in 1971 under the name "Telecommunications Corporation," which was then totally owned by the Jordanian government.  In 1997 the corporation was privatized and became known as the Telecommunications Company, providing fixed line services.

Jordan Telecom Group decision was proclaimed in 2006 to integrate Jordan Telecom, the fixed retail business unit, MobileCom the mobile business unit, Wanadoo the internet and data business unit, e-Dimensions the content business unit, and the wholesale business unit to be one giant integrated operator in Jordan.

The Jordan Group now serves more than 2.3 million subscribers with appropriate communication technologies, at affordable prices, and world-class service. The Jordan Telecom Group is currently preparing to adopt the Orange brand name for its services as part of a strategic plan aimed at providing the local market with world class services and products.