Mediterranean Shipping Company Renews Global Network Contract with Orange Business Services for Five Years

PARIS & GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) signed a 5-year contract renewal for Business VPN, a fully-managed, secure, global IP infrastructure from Orange Business Services. The solution provides MSC an MPLS-based network for 65 sites in 30 countries. Additionally, the shipping company will test the Maritime Satellite Service from Orange Business Services in a 2-year pilot.

“We have a presence in each major harbor around the globe. So for us the global know-how and unmatched geographic footprint of Orange Business Services is crucial. They are a real trusted partner for us.”

.Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC is a privately-owned shipping line that employs over 30,000 staff and is the second largest carrier with respect to container slot capacity and the number of container vessels operated, 404 in early May 2010. Moreover MSC Cruises is a leader in the Mediterranean cruise market, sailing in the region throughout the year, as well as offering a wide range of seasonal itineraries in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, North America and Canada, South America, the Indian Ocean, as well as South and West Africa. MSC has been an Orange Business Services customer for 10 years and the renewal underlines the strong relationship between the two companies, recognizes the good performance from Orange Business Services and acknowledges a compelling quality/price ratio.

To complement the renewal, MSC is participating in a 2-year pilot to test the Maritime Satellite Service from Orange Business Services. As part of its satellite services strategy, Orange Business Services offers Maritime Satellite Service, transforming maritime communications by fully integrating its satellite solution with Business VPN. This satellite service provides real-time broadband services to vessels wherever they are. MSC will equip one of its ships with the maritime VPN solution. Unlike other providers, Orange Business Services integrates satellite and terrestrial services, enabling customers to mix all types of access so that any site on land or sea can be connected directly to a secure IP VPN.

MSC CIO André Simha said: “We have a presence in each major harbor around the globe. So for us the global know-how and unmatched geographic footprint of Orange Business Services is crucial. They are a real trusted partner for us.”

Peter Moebius, vice president and country manager, Orange Business Services Switzerland, commented: “This contract renewal proves that we are a reliable and experienced partner that is capable of helping global companies such as MSC with all of their networking needs. We are very pleased with the global network renewal but are especially pleased that we have expanded our scope to provide a fully-integrated maritime solution on a pilot basis.”

About MSC

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., of Geneva, Switzerland, is a privately owned shipping line, founded in 1970, which has rapidly grown from a small conventional ship operator to become one of the leading global shipping lines of the world. During recent years MSC's maritime fleet has expanded substantially to consolidate its position as the 2nd largest carrier in respect of container slot capacity and of the number of container vessels operated.

MSC provides an unparalleled service network via dedicated own offices throughout the world and remains a truly independent and private company able to respond quickly to market changes and implement long term plans, without unnecessary interference or delay.

Early May 2010, MSC was operating 404 container vessels with an intake capacity of 1,635,000 TEUs. With a streamlined management structure in Geneva, MSC has become a leading customer focused and cost effective global transportation solution for many shippers.

About Orange

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With almost 131 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates. At the end of 2009, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 45.9 billion euros (10.9 billion euros for the first quarter 2010) and at March. 31, 2010, the Group had a customer base of almost 183.3 million customers in 32 countries. These include 123.7 million mobile customers and 13.5 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers worldwide. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number two provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

The Group's strategy, which is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, convergence and effective cost management, aims to establish Orange as an integrated operator and benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. Today the Group remains focused on its core activities as a network operator, while working to develop its position in new growth activities. To meet customer expectations, the Group strives to provide products and services that are simple and user-friendly, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business model that can be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing eco-system.

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information (on the Internet and on your mobile): www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com, www.orange-innovation.tv

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