2007

Paris, Aug. 6, 2007

 

 

Telemark Services rates Orange Business Services world class in its recent publication, “Voice of the Customer:  Global DataVPN” that measures user perceptions of global service providers against independent benchmarks.

 

In recognition of its top quadrant position in the Telemark Crystal Ball, a matrix that predicts user steadfastness, Orange Business Services is once again awarded the prestigious Dolphin insignia. The Crystal Ball predicts those service providers likely to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The matrix displays eight global data VPN operators grouped in quadrants as follows: Dolphin (Sustainable); Whale (Dominant); Shark (Focused) and Sardine (Commodity). To obtain the Dolphin Insignia customer satisfaction ratings must be high and “intent to buy” also must be strong.

 

According to Janet Watkin, director at Telemark:  “Orange Business Services are a formidable rival in the global dataVPN market. To be rated No. 1 by customers is a tremendous achievement. The presentation of a third consecutive Dolphin insignia illustrates that Orange is succeeding at winning the hearts and minds of customers.”

 

In addition to the Dolphin insignia for a world class performance, Orange Business Services also received Telemark Awards for successfully outperforming rivals in key service categories or attributes. The Platinum Award for Best Global Operator went to Orange Business Services for achieving the highest Customer Satisfaction Index Overall.

 

“Orange Business Services strives to continually improve our customer experience,” said Alex Gouvêa, senior vice president, Customer Services & Operations, Orange Business Services. “We align ourselves with our customers through regular customer satisfaction surveys, which help us to identify improvements. This feedback is then turned into tangible action plans and constantly measured. We continually look for ways to increase our performance levels to provide the best possible service to our customers.”

 

This report Voice of the Customer: Global DataVPN Abstract, Analysis, Appendix is based on data from 780 interviews conducted between July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

 

 

Telemark is a fast growing marketing services firm offering OCEAN (Outstanding Customer Experience, Analysis and News), consultancy, publications and online analysis with proven expertise in measuring customer satisfaction, competitive analysis, benchmarking, trend analysis, channel management, new product development, demand estimates, branding, tariff analysis, and business strategy, exclusively within the telecommunications and IT sectors. An experienced team with decades of independent market research experience in the expanding market for voice, data and vision, Telemark is often the first-choice supplier for many organizations with a requirement for international market research and analysis covering emerging technologies such as VoIP, ICT convergence and hosting applications. For more information, please visit www.telemarkservices.com or email info@telemarkservices.com.

 

 

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with more than 161 million customers on five continents.

 

In June 2006, as part of the France Telecom integrated operator strategy (NExT program) 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, which operates in 220 countries or territories, became the new banner for business communications solutions and services.

 

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris Eurolist market and on the New York Stock  Exchange. At March 31, 2007, the group had more than 100 million mobile customers, about 12.5 million internet customers and 48.5 million fixed line customers.

 

In 2006, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 51.7 billion euros.

 

Further information about Orange and France Telecom can be found on the Orange Web site at www.orange.com, www.orange-business.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.