?The telephone has been around for 130 years, the Internet and mobile telephony, for more than 20. This growing mesh of telecommunications and information networks is coupled with the merging of social and human networks : we are becoming... the networks. Didier Lombard has witnessed and actively contributed to the development of European industry. Today he is furthering this vision at the head of one of the world's most globally active enterprises in a sector essential to worldwide economic growth. For the first time, he discloses to the public his views on the advances in technology that have occurred between the early 1970's and today, the period defining the first life of networks. He also describes how we will interact with each other, how we will consume new products and services as well as what our daily life will be like in the near future. In fact, we have already entered the second life of networks. In addition to providing a perspective on the social and economic issues and challenges of this key sector, this book will help readers assess and understand the surprising new world that is shaping our future. ?Didier Lombard is CEO and Chairman of the Board of France Telecom-Orange. A graduate of the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique, he holds a telecommunications engineering degree as well as a doctorate in European Economics. He played an important role in the inception and design of the first French telecommunications satellites. He also contributed to the development of the GSM international mobile telephony standard. He was subsequently appointed Director of Industrial Strategy for the French Ministry of the Economy then Ambassador for International Investment.