The deal is another coup for BT, which appears to be winning the battle against France Telecom, and its network services division Equant, in the corporate voice and data network management space.
Under the terms of the five-year deal with Thales, BT will operate the client’s fixed voice and data network services in 42 countries. BT will take over all operational management of their services and some of the existing contracts, and will manage the gradual migration of those services towards an IP platform.
Last week, BT announced a $500m contract with pharmaceuticals giant Bristol-Myers Squibb, in a deal that represented its first major network services contract in the US.
The company has also racked up new managed voice/data network services deals with the Co-operative Group ($39.5m), Neos Networks ($56m) and UK Customs & Excise ($54m) in the last two months.
BT acquired El Segundo-based network management company Infonet last year, in a move designed to help spearhead new contracts, particularly in the US, where it is currently negotiating a major deal with media giant Reuters a former Equant client.
In contrast, Equant is struggling. Despite recent contract wins with shipping company P&O Nedlloyd ($35m) and pharmaceuticals manufacturer Merck KGaA, the company’s management expects a very difficult year in 2005, and is expected to drastically reduce its cost base in coming months.
