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Qtel and Tata Communications Collaborate to Offer
Global Connectivity Services
Doha, Qatar and Mumbai, India : June 8, 2009 –Qtel and Tata Communications today announced a strategic alliance that will strengthen both companies’ network reach in the region and internationally.
Under the terms of the agreement, both the companies will align their infrastructures and work together to provide secure, scalable and flexible connectivity solutions including Ethernet, MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) and a wide variety of managed services to their global customers.
Ahmed Al-Derbesti, Executive Director, International Services, said: "Qtel has a clear strategy in place to deliver the strongest possible communications framework for the growth of business in Qatar today. Partnership with companies like Tata Communications, which is a recognized leader in communications solutions, is a core part of that development strategy."
The agreement complements the ambitious growth strategies of both companies. Qtel looks to provide its clients with world-class communication services and the capacity to expand internationally. Tata Communications continues to build connectivity into emerging markets, to better serve its customers.
With Qatar continuing to show strong growth in spite of global economic conditions – the International Monetary Fund forecasts that nation’s economy will expand by 18 per cent this year – more and more companies are looking to establish a stronger presence in the market.
Eng. Khalid Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Qtel’s Business Solutions, said: "This is a landmark agreement which will help to position Qtel at the heart of one of the most robust communication networks in the world today."
Vinod Kumar, President and COO of Tata Communications, said: "Joining hands with Qtel is a winning proposition for Tata Communications as it lends an invaluable perspective to our mission of delivering seamless connectivity and flagship communications services to customers with diverse and widespread network needs."
Over time, the agreement will enable Tata Communications to deliver Layer 2 Ethernet over SDH, Ethernet over MPLS and a range of configurations including unique Dedicated Multipoint Ethernet services to its international network of customers through Qtel.
In return, Qtel customers will have access to a range of new MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) certified services, delivered via Tata Communications’ major networks of submarine cables, which are among the most significant in the world, and its Tier-1 IP network that spans across five continents.
About Qtel
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is the telecommunications service provider licensed by the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) to provide both fixed and mobile telecommunications services in the state of Qatar. We have a presence in 17 countries and we are committed to expansion both in the MENA region and South East Asia. Our vision is to be among the top 20 telecommunications companies in the world by 2020.
About Tata Communications
Tata Communications is a leading global provider of a new world of communications. With a leadership position in emerging markets, Tata Communications leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers.
The Tata Global Network includes one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, with connectivity to more than 200 countries across 400 PoPs, and nearly 1 million square feet of data center and collocation space worldwide.
Tata Communications' depth and breadth of reach in emerging markets includes leadership in Indian enterprise data services, leadership in global international voice, and strategic investments in operators in South Africa (Neotel), Sri Lanka (Tata Communications Lanka Limited), Nepal (United Telecom Limited), and subject to approval by the Chinese government, China (China Enterprise Communications)
Tata Communications Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (NYSE: TCL)
Forward-looking and cautionary statements
Certain words and statements in this release concerning Tata Communications and its prospects, and other statements, including those relating to Tata Communications’ expected financial position, business strategy, the future development of Tata Communications’ operations, and the general economy in India, are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including financial, regulatory and environmental, as well as those relating to industry growth and trend projections, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tata Communications, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to increase the volume of traffic on Tata Communications’ network; failure to develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; failure to successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; failure to stabilize or reduce the rate of price compression on certain of the company’s communications services; failure to integrate strategic acquisitions and changes in government policies or regulations of India and, in particular, changes relating to the administration of Tata Communications’ industry; and, in general, the economic, business and credit conditions in India. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, many of which are not in Tata Communications’ control, include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Tata Communications’ various filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Tata Communications is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, updates or alters its forward-looking statements.