LONDON-France Telecom and Orange said they will delay the initial public offering of Orange until early 2001. The Orange IPO originally was scheduled to launch by the end of the year.
“The process of combining the mobile assets of France Telecom with Orange to create a leading global wirefree business is now well advanced,” said Michel Bon, France Telecom chairman.
Analysts have voiced concern regarding the number of mobile IPOs set to launch in 2001, and an earlier listing could have helped Orange build support before the rush of competition.
