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Orange and BBC World announce global deal


WEBWIRE

London, Paris 15 th November, 2006. Orange and BBC World have extended their current mobile distribution offering by signing a ground-breaking global deal which will allow Orange mobile phone customers in eight new countries to watch the channel live.
BBC World, the BBC’s 24-hour international news information service will be the only English language news channel to be streamed live to mobiles in Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Portugal, Jordan, Egypt and the Dominican Republic.
Orange mobile customers in France have been able to watch BBC World for the past two years. Orange France recently signed a renewal deal to continue this relationship and also offer the channel to IPTV customers.
The global agreement will allow Orange mobile broadband customers to access live breaking news wherever they are by watching BBC World on their mobiles. It also increases BBC World’s new media distribution channels worldwide, encompassing mobile, broadband and live streaming to PCs and airline seatback TV systems.

Gerry Ritchie, BBC World’s Regional Director and Business Development, Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Americas says: “Orange is one of the most forward thinking new mobile distribution platforms for television so we are thrilled to extend our relationship with them. This new live streaming deal makes our channel even more accessible to mobile users who like to keep in touch with breaking global news while on the move.”
Patricia Langrand, Executive Vice President, Content Division, France Telecom, says: “Orange was first in several countries to offer mobile TV to our customers. This agreement allows us to extend and enhance our mobile TV offer ensuring Orange customers have access to a variety of channels at any time. We are now delighted to increase the scope of our partnership with BBC World to include multiple territories.”
Orange mobile TV offers customers a multitude of television services and content, customers may view a variety of programmes on their mobiles including well-known soap operas, music videos and sports programmes.
BBC World will be streamed live through 3G or EDGE networks.


About Orange
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with more than 153 million customers on five continents.
In June, 2006, as part of the France Telecom integrated operator strategy (NExT programme) to deliver simple, convergent products, Orange became the single brand for mobile, internet and TV offers in France, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and in 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. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries and territories and serves customers in 220.
France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris Eurolist market and on the New York Stock Exchange. At September 30, 2006, the group had 92.59 million mobile customers, 12.09 million internet customers and 48.59 million fixed line customers.
At the end of 2005, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 49 billion euros by IFRS standards in 2005 (38.4 billion euros for the year-to-date at September 30, 2006) and had 203 000 employees.
Further information about Orange and France Telecom can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.com or the France Telecom at www.francetelecom.com.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.



BBC World, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies. BBC World is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 274 million households (141 million 24-hour homes) and more than 1.3 million hotel rooms. It is also available on 46 cruise liners, 36 airlines and 26 mobile phone platforms. The channel commenced transmission in 1991 as BBC World Service Television and in 1995 was re-branded BBC World, a 24-hour news and information channel broadcasting across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Japan. For further information on how to receive BBC World, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit www.bbcworld.com



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