BT to invest $48m in APAC

NEW DELHI: BT has announced further investment in Asia Pacific of approximately $48 million focusing on key IP platforms and the transfer of services onto an integrated platform for voice, video and data. The enhancements are already underway, with expected completion this year.






Additionally, BT is increasing its direct coverage to 13 countries and 30 cities with its own infrastructure across Asia Pacific, with reach also increased to over 50 cities. BT delivers services to multinational


organizations in 115 countries across the globe. The core subsea backbone operated by BT which supports its harmonized portfolio is also being upgraded from 300 Mb/s to 1.5 Gb/s following the growth of over 400 per cent in traffic to and from Europe and the US and within Asia Pacific in the past two years. Network paths added include from Hong Kong to Europe, from Singapore to the US, and between London and Singapore.





The implementation of a new voice platform, which will support the convergence for the wholesale, corporate and video segments will begin in June 2005. The installation of the new voice platform for an integrated international and domestic offering is progressing on schedule for Bangalore, Delhi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo. New MPLS node locations to be added in 2005 include Auckland, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Melbourne and Osaka. Additional nodes are being added to Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei.





President of BT in Asia Pacific Allen Ma said, "This is the beginning of the implementation of 21CN requirements, not the end. Taking this strategy strengthens BT in the market for the delivery of global networked IT services. It also positions BT in Asia Pacific as a leading global player and as a regional competitor within the industry in both data and voice. Both are core areas in which our customers are asking us to perform."