Orange Business joins VMware vCloud™ initiative

delivery of flexible and interoperable cloud-based solutions is key for customers

Orange Business has joined the VMware vCloud™ initiative which enables cloud computing providers to develop a common platform based on VMware vSphere™ that will enable cloud interoperability and portability.

Orange Business wants to be a leader by providing a unique solution that helps customers more easily switch cloud computing providers when they want, get different cloud services, and have cloud and non-cloud services that work together. The goal is to drive adoption of cloud computing by actively contributing to the creation of a model where cloud computing will be as simple as buying electricity, with no “rewiring” needed.

“The main point of cloud computing is to bring more flexibility to enterprises, enabling them to use what they need, when they need it, at optimized and variable costs,” said Didier Jaubert, senior vice president, Global Services, Orange Business. “We want to be one of the first service providers to offer this freedom and flexibility to our customers. Working closely with VMware and the VMware vCloud™ initiative will enable Orange Business to bring innovations to our cloud solutions more quickly.”

VMware is a key partner to Orange Business on Cloud Computing. VMware technology is the cornerstone of our Flexible Computing offer launched in June 2009. Flexible Computing proposes scalable hosted and virtualized n-tier infrastructures, accessed either over an Orange Business VPN or over the Internet, that allow businesses to outsource a part or all of their IT infrastructures.

“We are excited to partner with Orange Business on the VMware vCloud™ Initiative,” said Dan Chu, vice president, Cloud Infrastructure and Services, VMware.  “By focusing on integrating and connecting public and private clouds in a compatible manner, together we can provide customers with agile, efficient and secure enterprise cloud computing environments.”

Orange already has solid expertise with cloud services, partly thanks to a growing portfolio and to the work of 150 cloud computing R&D specialists. In addition to managing 12,000 servers for enterprise customers, we can design, build and operate private clouds for large multinational companies.

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 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, 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.