Orange commits to offering public service internet in France
Paris, September 21, 2011
Orange responds to the authorities’ drive for a public service internet offer, and within six months will provide a service which meets the criteria set out by the government.
Providing society’s most disadvantaged with access to electronic communication has been an important aspect of France Telecom Group policy for over 10 years.
Fixed telephony: For over 10 years (since 2000), France Telecom has been offering a public service phone package for € 6.49 a month, including taxes, as part of its “Universal Service”. This offer is complemented by the “+120 social bonus” option, which provides two hours of calls a month to landlines and mobiles in France, Europe and North America, and offers attractive rates to areas that fall outside the package, for € 7 a month including taxes.
Mobile: Orange was the first operator, in May 2009, to respond to the law modernising the French economy (Lefebvre amendment), offering a “special package for those on low incomes” at €10 a month including taxes, providing 40 minutes of calls and 40 texts, specifically for recipients of RSA (Revenu de solidarité active) income support.
This has become the “public service mobile rate”.
Orange’s public service commitment is also present in a range of discounts of 10 to 20% offered to certain customers, such as job-seekers, large families and young people under 26.
a public service internet offer in France
Orange is addressing the digital divide, in the context of broadband internet access, with a commitment to offer, within 6 months, a public service internet+VOIP service, available throughout France to recipients of RSA income support.
This nationwide offer will meet the standards set by the government: it will be available to all recipients of RSA income support (on the sole condition that they have access to a broadband-ready line - more than 98% of cases), will not be tied to a specific duration of contract, will not incur connection charges (except if a new line needs to be installed), will not require a deposit, and will be provided at a monthly rate that is less than or equal to 23 Euros including taxes.
press contact:
Manon Buselli – + 33 1 55 22 36 84 – manon.buselli@orange.com
Jean-Bernard Orsoni – + 33 1 44 44 93 93 – jeanbernard.orsoni@orange.com
With its industrial project, "conquests 2015", Orange is simultaneously addressing its employees, customers and shareholders, as well as the society in which the company operates, through a concrete set of action plans. These commitments are expressed through a new vision of human resources for employees; through the deployment of a network infrastructure upon which the Group will build its future growth; through the Group's ambition to offer a superior customer experience thanks in particular to improved quality of service; and through the acceleration of international development.
France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.
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