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By Suzanna Kerridge, 8 November 2000 15:46

NEWS The French state telco posted a growth of 21.6 per cent in turnover to E23.95bn (£14.37bn). Speaking at Networld Interop, Michel Bon, president of France Telecom, said: "This company has three goals; to be a pan-European and global company, to offer worldwide services to all organisations and to play a part in the emerging internet markets. Three years ago France Telecom would not have imagined that it would have as many internet and mobile customers." Phone traffic increased 15.2 per cent during the period compared to a rise of 10.7 per cent in 1999. The company said the rise was due to a 123.8 per cent increase in internet turnover and a 51.6 per cent jump in mobile phone sales. However, the company lost ground in the long distance phone call market ceding over a 10 per cent increase in market share to its competitors. France Telecom also saw a surge in its internet business Wanadoo from last year's 12.8 per cent to 22.5 per cent. While its mobile unit, Itineris, saw a 51.6 per cent rise in sales but a drop in mobile turnover. France Telecom attributed this to the success of its pre-paid services. Bon said: "The internet has opened many doors in France, now having an email address is as common as having a postal address. We are number two in Europe and number two worldwide in the mobile market and we are very satisfied with that."