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SITA And Orange Business Services Conclude a $2 Billion Deal for Innovative Communication Services to the Air Transport Industry

Dépèche transmise le 30 septembre 2009 par Business Wire

SITA And Orange Business Services Conclude a $2 Billion Deal for Innovative Communication Services to the Air Transport Industry

GENEVA & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SITA, the specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions, and Orange Business Services, the leading global integrated communications operator for businesses, today announced a seven-year agreement, valued in excess of US$2 billion, broadening their existing partnership and covering an extensive range of Orange Business Services’ communications services which SITA will provide to airlines, airports and other air industry participants around the world.

Building on their successful past collaboration, SITA and Orange Business Services through their new agreement will ensure that the air transport industry will continue to benefit from competitive solutions and quality of service excellence worldwide. The new agreement also promotes joint innovation and will accelerate business development in enhanced convergence services and real-time business services to meet evolving industry needs, allowing operational efficiency and cost optimisation.

Francesco Violante, SITA CEO, said: “This relationship is of major strategic importance for the smooth functioning of an industry which is now hugely reliant on communications for its day-to-day operations. SITA is a leading provider of critical services to airports and airlines worldwide. Our extended partnership with Orange Business Services secures and enhances SITA’s ability to deliver continued improvements and exceptional service levels for our communication solutions in over 220 countries and territories, supporting more than 1,800 customers.”

Barbara Dalibard, president and CEO Orange Business Services, said: “This new agreement is a win-win situation not just for SITA and Orange Business Services, but also for the air transport industry. Orange Business Services’ strategy is aimed at supporting our customers’ key challenges and creating new business opportunities. Orange Business Services sees real-time business and Machine-to-Machine services as the next growth wave and is pleased to provide these innovative services to SITA along with traditional network and convergence services.”

Major services currently provided by SITA and Orange Business Services include AirportHub, which delivers IP and legacy services from a shared IP-based platform for over 500 airlines at airports worldwide; IPVPN networks which connect 13,500 air transport sites worldwide; SITA Mobility Access; and voice and convergence solutions.

About SITA

SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.

SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more. With a customer service team of over 1,600 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.

SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.

SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for around 550 air transport industry members and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. In 2009, the company celebrates 60 years in business. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.47 billion (€1.13 billion) in 2008.

For further information go to www.sita.aero

About Orange

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With 124.5 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 2008, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 53.5 billion Euros (25.5 billion Euros for the first half of 2009) and at 30 June 2009, the Group had a customer base of 186 million customers in 32 countries. These include 125.5 million mobile customers and 13.4 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: www.orange.com, www.francetelecom.com, www.orange-business.com

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.