To: NotNeiderhoffer who wrote (1138 ) 1/11/2001 9:59:26 AM From: Beltropolis Boy Respond to of 1331 >Burp! did you order the bangers and mash? or as Pink's Headmaster screamed (much better): "How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat!!??"faculty-st.com -----ORANGE ANNOUNCES RECORD CUSTOMER GROWTH Orange UK: 1.56 million net new customers in Q4 Orange France*: 1.73 million net new customers in Q4 Orange UK customer base almost 10 million (end 1999: 4.89 million) Orange France customer base over 14 million (end 1999: 10.05 million) (* includes France Télécom Mobiles' Améris and la Réunion) Orange today announces record customer growth in the UK and record share of market growth in France during the fourth quarter of 2000. Orange UK In the UK, Orange added a record 1.56 million net new customers in the fourth quarter, beating its previous record of 1.41 million net new customers in Q4 1999. With almost 5 million net new customers added in the last 12 months, the total UK customer base now stands at 9.83 million, more than twice that of the same point last year. Around 90% of the growth in the quarter was owing to prepay customers, which Orange believes reflects the value and originality of the Orange JustTalk products. The prepay base ended the year at 6.758 million. Orange also continued to make progress in the contract sector adding 111,000 net new customers onto subscription tariffs. The contract base was 3.077 million at the year end. Orange France Orange France added 1.73 million net new customers, taking the customer base to 14.3 million and its share of net additions in the quarter was almost 50%. Jean François Pontal, Chief Executive Officer (designate), commented: "This is the first time that the enlarged Orange group has announced customer numbers and I am delighted to be able to unveil record-breaking figures for the group today. In our core markets, Orange is going from strength to strength, well positioned to drive the next phase of market development. I look forward to continued success." Graham Howe, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Finance Director, added: "Q4 is always a competitive quarter and these results show that Orange continues to offer the best network, the best service and the best value. They complete a year of Orange leading the market in the UK and France. We are in a great position to start 2001, as we drive wirefree usage further in the voice markets and continue to develop new wirefree data and internet applications. We believe 2001 will see strong growth in the data and internet sector."