France Telecom reports profits on Orange growth

NEWS France Telecom has reported first half revenue growth of over a third - boosted by strong growth from its mobile phone unit Orange. The French telco said revenues for the first six months ending 30 June rose to E20.4bn (£12.5bn) compared with E15.3bn (£9.4bn) for the same period a year ago. France Telecom said first half figures for Orange jumped 122.4 per cent to £6.9bn with 35.5 million clients now signed up - a 52 per cent rise in subscribers from a year ago. Michel Bon, president of France Telecom, said the company is now forecasting revenue growth of more than 25 per cent for the full year. France Telecom shares jumped more than three per cent in early morning trading in Paris up to E48.72 (£30).