Orange is France's historic and leading telecommunications operator, the country's number-one provider of mobile telephony, ADSL, and fiber-optic services for both individuals and businesses. The company employs more than 90,000 people in France and stands as a major European and global telecoms heavyweight, with thousands of researchers and engineers spread across its Orange Labs.

The brand's roots trace back to France Télécom, which has operated in the telecoms market since 1941, though France Télécom was formally created as an independent entity in 1988, remaining the sole market player until competition opened up in 1998. In August 2000, France Télécom acquired the UK's Orange plc from Vodafone for a total cost estimated at €39.7 billion, and began gradually rolling the Orange brand out across its own mobile and internet services. The full transition was completed in 2013, when France Télécom disappeared for good and became simply Orange.

Orange's market dominance rests on several fundamental pillars, starting with network quality — the company boasts one of France's best mobile networks, with 4G coverage exceeding 99% of the population, a major competitive advantage particularly in rural areas. With more than 29 million mobile subscribers and around 11 million fixed-line subscribers, Orange holds the largest market share in France.

Growth today is driven by Livebox fiber-optic offers and 5G mobile plans, and the company launched Sosh, its fully digital budget brand, in 2011 to compete with challenger Free. Orange also serves professional and enterprise clients, reinforcing its position as France's incumbent, all-around telecoms leader.