www.orange.com

- Fully in line to launch commercial services across 3G network in second half of 2004
- Commercial trials to be launched in France and UK
- Orange 3G network live in over 20 cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cannes, Toulouse and Lille
- Orange 3G Developer Centres to be launched across the globe
- Key partners Alcatel, Nokia and Nortel working together to deliver fully integrated 3G Orange network

Orange today delivered a 3G strategy update in which it announced commercial trials of the network in the UK and France, the creation of nine 3G Developer Centres across the globe, and confirmed that it is on track to launch full commercial 3G services to customers in France and the UK in the second half of 2004.

Speaking at the Orange press conference in Cannes, Thierry Breton, Chairman of Orange and Chairman and CEO of France Telecom, commented, "By announcing the launch of our 3G wireless services in France and the UK later this year, we reaffirm the importance of broadband, both fixed line and mobile, to the France Telecom Group strategy. Thanks to our integrated approach, our customers will benefit from seamless services across our fixed-line, wireless and internet networks."

Sanjiv Ahuja, Chief Operating Officer of the Orange Group, said: "This year, Orange delivers on its promise of an enhanced network, giving customers the speed and richness of services that will transform their Orange device into a powerhouse of mobile applications and services, accessible at the touch of a button.

"We are working with hundreds of industry partners and innovative companies behind the scenes to deliver an unrivalled Orange Experience across this new mobile landscape."

Commercial Update

Orange announced a number of customer trials taking place across Europe and demonstrated its live 3G network in Cannes for the first time.

The Orange France trials, known as "Villes Orange 3G" are also underway in the cities of Lille and Toulouse, testing the Orange 3G offering with existing Orange customers. A total of 4,000 Orange users are involved in the trials which is evaluating all aspects of the customer's experience including customer services, sales and distribution, devices, services and content as well as pricing and tariffs. For a minimal additional monthly charge, customers have access to a range of services including video calling and unlimited access to multi-media content. The key learnings from the "Villes Orange 3G" will be used across the Orange Group, complimenting existing trials that are taking place in other markets such as the UK.

Orange currently has the most widespread integrated 2G/3G network across the UK, with over 40 per cent population coverage. This includes 10 cities such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol as well as key transport routes. Extensive developer trials have been underway since mid-2003 and customer trials are currently taking place.

Full commercial launch in both the UK and France is due for the second half of this year.