| FRANCE | Networked World | ||
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| Country Overview | Network Access | Network Learning | Network Society | Network Economy | Network Policy | Offshore Opportunity | Analysis of Readiness |
Country Overview Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology
Official name: République Française
Flag: blue, white and red
Capital: Paris
National Anthem: La Marseillaise
Motto: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
Currency: French Franc until July 2002, then the Euro
According to The Service for Culture, Science & Education, The French Embassy in Singapore: Many French companies have become world leaders because they were able to anticipate the technological changes triggered of digital technology, the convergence of media, computer and telecommunication technologies and the development of the Internet. Several French companies are the world's leading organizations: Cap Gemini, Sema Group, Atos, amongst others. The French telecommunications market is enterprising and resourceful and is the 2nd European market behind Germany. The telecom industry is focused on export. Half the industry's sales figures are earned from exports. The electronics industry has grown substantially in the last few years. The sectors that have gained most from this growth are telecommunications, Minitel, the pre-Internet terminal, and robotics. Smarts cards, with phone cards and secured bank cards were invented by a French entrepreneur, Roland Moreno. This experience has given France an unrivalled lead in e-services and secure electronic transactions.