HCL in $11.5m deal with British Telecom

MUMBAI: HCL Technologies, a leading technology firm, said on Saturday that it

has struck an alliance with British Telecommunications Plc for call center

operations.

New Delhi-based HCL said that as part of the deal, it would initially buy 90

per cent of BT's Apollo contact center unit in Belfast, Northern Ireland for

$11.5 million.

After three years, it would pay $1.2 million for the remaining 10 per cent.

The deal will guarantee HCL revenue of $30.24 million over the next three years,

the company added.

"The transaction marks HCL Technologies strategic intent to establish a

dominant position in the fast growing information technology-enabled services

segment," the company said.

It added that it would absorb the 45 employees of BT in the center. A

wholly-owned subsidiary, HCL E Serve Technologies Ltd., would manage the center,

it added. "This transaction, in addition to helping HCL in establishing a

significant presence in the island of Ireland, will advance our strategic plans

for Europe," said HCL Technologies chairman Shiv Nadar.