New France Telecom CEO lays out 5-year plan

[July 05, 2010]  PARIS (AP) -- New France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard on Monday laid out plans to boost employee moral and make 5 percent of the global population clients of his Orange brand by 2015.

Richard took over as CEO four months ago after his predecessor Didier Lombard was criticized over his handling of a spate of employee suicides last year.

At a press conference in Paris, Richard laid out a five year plan which he said is designed to motivate staff and make them proud to work for France Telecom.

Employees are "at the heart of the new project," he said.

In the company's home market, France Telecom plans to add 10,000 jobs by 2012 and invest euro2 billion ($2.5 billion) in fiber optic networks by 2015.

Richard said he also wants to double revenue from emerging countries over the five years.

The plan lays out ambitious objectives, such as increasing client numbers by 50 percent -- but is short on financial details.

Richard said he will explain to financial analysts how he will meet his aims in the autumn.

By 2015, Richard wants to find another 100 million customers of its Orange brand, bringing the total to 300 million.

He told Le Parisien newspaper that means Orange would reach 5 percent of the world's population.

The digital revolution offers many new opportunities for the former telecom monopoly turned mobile network operator and internet service provider, Richard said.

[Associated Press; By EMMA VANDORE]

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