BT details investment in APAC
Telecommunications provider British Telecommunications (BT) detailed Thursday its expansion plans for the Asia-Pacific region, which include the creation of 300 new staff positions and new facilities such as a bid response center in Singapore to pursue managed services deals in the region.
In a telephone interview with ZDNet Asia, BT Asia-Pacific's managing director Kevin Taylor said the regional investment was part of a global initiative spelt out in May 2010. At that time, BT pledged to pump 200 million pounds (US$309.1 million) into various areas--the fiber rollout in the United Kingdom, the enhancement of TV services, introduction of new consumer services and in opportunities revolving around services contracts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Taylor, however, was not able to provide a breakdown of the funds allocated for the region.
Large foreign direct investments are being directed into the Asia-Pacific, Taylor said, noting that 80 percent of the company's largest customers are expanding their operations in the region. BT similarly needs to beef up its capabilities to support their growth, he explained.
BT is currently in the process of hiring about 300 new employees in the Asia-Pacific region, which will help ensure that "key portfolio and services enjoyed by BT's customers around the world can be offered and fully supported" in the region's markets, according to a company statement issued Thursday. The new staff will be employed in key customer markets in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Singapore.
Additionally, BT will establish a bid response center in Singapore to pursue large regional managed services deals. The company will also open a suite of customer technology showcase centers in Beijing, Delhi, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, where customers will be able to experience BT's technologies.
Adding value to channel
Ivan Landen, BT Global Services' vice president for indirect channels in the Asia-Pacific, added during the call the company will continue to create value for its regional indirect channel partners by bringing its global capabilities to them.
Indirect channel partners resell and rebrand BT's portfolio of technology and services in their local market. According to Landen, these partners understand the domestic market and are well established to serve government customers.
BT will extend its portfolio and services as well as offer training its indirect channel partners to make them "BT solutions experts", he added. The company will also allow such partners to access their corporate systems for relevant, up-to-date information so they can provide a consistent service to their customers.