France Telecom is poised to make its biggest move since acquiring Orange plc in 2000 for $27.8 billion ($55.1 billion) with an impending acquisition of TeliaSonera. This strategic move would position the company as the world's fourth-largest telecom firm, trailing behind industry giants such as AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and NTT Corp. of Japan. The proposed acquisition signals a confident and ambitious expansion into the global telecom market, reflecting a positive sentiment regarding France Telecom's growth and competitive positioning.