BT announced today the signature of a 5-year contract with the Dutch electronics giant Philips to provide communication services in more than 40 countries in EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) as well as global data infrastructure and access services. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the contract, BT will handle the management of Philips’ data transport services (MPLS based) within the EMEA region, together with voice services, managed mobility and certain metropolitan area networks within the region.
BT will also be providing Philips with global data access services including security services, firewalls, remote access services, IP address management and DNS management as well as conferencing services and Philips’ intercontinental data (MPLS based) infrastructure.
BT secured the contract with Philips against intense competition. Daniel Hartert, Philips’ Chief Information Officer, stated: “Both Philips and BT are leading technology companies and one of the deciding factors in choosing BT included its ability to innovate - as demonstrated by the heavy investment it has made in its network and the overall efficiency of its solutions -as well as its global reach”.
François Barrault, president of BT International, said, “We are delighted that Philips has chosen BT to provide important services globally as well as its entire communications infrastructure requirements across the EMEA region. We look forward to combining our global capabilities, commitment to innovation, and investment in 21CN, the world’s most radical next-generation network transformation programme, in order to deliver real benefit to Philips and its customers around the world.”
The agreement between BT and Philips covers the contributions of a number of partners, including Vodafone who will be working with BT's mobility business to provide a substantial part of the mobility services for around 24,000 users in the EMEA region.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 158,000 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group’s revenue was £19,514 million with profit before taxation of £2,040 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt.
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