BT Wholesale to consolidate mobile and fixed networks for O2
01 Feb 2010 15:15
BT and O2 today announced a new five year, multi-million pound managed services agreement that will see BT Wholesale consolidate O2’s mobile and fixed core networks in the UK into one cost-effective network using BT’s 21st Century Network (21CN) platform.
A consolidated approach will provide O2 with a platform to deliver a range of next generation communications services to meet the needs of its customers with the reliability and quality required, as well as enable the company to reduce its capital expenditure. With data services becoming increasingly prevalent in mobile networks, a high capacity and resilient core network is essential for delivering the high-level of service that today’s customers demand as data volumes continue to rise.
Today’s announcement deepens the relationship between the two companies. BT Wholesale already provides a range of services to O2 including core network management support for O2’s mobile customers as well as a managed network service that is enabling O2 to serve the UK business market with fixed and broadband services.
Nigel Purdy, Head of Networks, Telefónica O2 UK Ltd said: “As we move to an all IP world and as data traffic volumes increase, the consolidation of our fixed and mobile core networks is a common sense approach that will help future-proof our business and provide the best possible service for our customers. BT Wholesale continues to impress O2 with its ability to deliver highly complex solutions. It is a trusted partner and we value its experience in managed services.”
Brian Fitzpatrick, Managing Director, BT Wholesale Markets said: “Our industry is witnessing a significant shift from commodity products to value-added managed services and this latest agreement with O2 is yet another example of how BT Wholesale is at the forefront of this industry transformation. The trend to outsource network requirements to BT Wholesale continues as operators look to stabilise their operational and investment costs, enabling them to concentrate on their customers.”
BT Wholesale is a recognised leader in managed network services and now has over 40% of its annual revenue under long term managed services contracts.
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About O2 UK- Telefónica O2 UK Limited is a leading communications company for consumers and businesses in the UK, with 21.3 million mobile customers and over 591,000 fixed broadband customers as at 31 December 2009.
- Telefónica O2 UK Limited is part of Telefónica Europe plc, a business division of Telefónica S.A. which uses O2 as its commercial brand in the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic, and has over 49 million customers across these markets.
- In 2006 Telefónica Europe acquired Be, the UK fixed broadband provider, and in October 2007 O2 launched its broadband service using the Be network.
- O2 is the naming rights partner of The O2, the world-class entertainment venueO2 employs around 12,000 people in the UK and has 490 retail stores.
- O2 was ranked highest in customer satisfaction for both UK mobile and fixed broadband customers according to the J.D. Power and Associates UK Mobile and Fixed Broadband Studies 2009.
- O2 was launched on 1 May 2002 and now has more customers than any other UK mobile network.
- O2’s UK mobile network covers 99% of the UK’s population. O2’s 3G network covers over 84% of the UK population and is fully HSDPA-enabled, providing speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps for customers with an HSDPA-enabled device.
- Telefónica Europe also owns 50% of Tesco Mobile, which operates in the UK and Ireland, and 50% of Tchibo Mobilfunk in Germany.
- For further press information about O2 go to www.o2.co.uk/news