O2 Unify, Telefónica & G4S SIGN Multi-Million Pound Comms Deal

June 01, 2011

London 31 May 2011.  Telefónica today announced it has signed a multi-million pound contract with G4S Secure Solutions (UK & Ireland), part of the world's leading international security solutions group.

The contract – one of the biggest Telefónica has completed in the business sector – will provide G4S with an innovative network and telecommunications platform that will reduce its communications costs by a minimum of 25 per cent and provide excellent quality of service to G4S customers.

Telefónica Multinational Solutions is now the preferred telecommunications supplier for G4S and will provide the company with a full suite of services including mobile, fixed voice, business broadband, WAN services, telemarketing, PBX maintenance and IP telephony. The service will be delivered through Telefónica UK’s proposition O2 Unify, which provides businesses of all sizes with the opportunity to outsource their IT and communications needs to a single provider.

The deal marks the latest phase of G4S’ strategy to consolidate its supplier base after choosing ICT as a key operational expense to focus on. As G4S’ sole telecommunications supplier, after previously only providing mobile services, Telefónica is building an innovative network and telecommunications platform that will reduce G4S’ communications costs by a minimum of 25 per cent.

G4S has already commenced the transitioning of its service to Telefónica and expects to adopt further services during the course of its contract.  This deal is the latest example of Telefónica delivering holistic, tailored communication solutions in the multinational segment supporting businesses optimise their operations, remain competitive and meet the ever changing needs of their workforce.

Michael Hayes, Telefónica Multinational Solutions Europe Director, said: “We are delighted to continue to grow our relationship with G4S and look forward to taking this project beyond the UK and Ireland to potentially help G4S with their global communications.”

Ben Dowd, Business Director Telefónica UK, added: “This deal strengthens our position as trusted partner and strategic advisor for our business customers. Effective communications is critical to any business, but particularly for one such as G4S which operates in a complex and challenging sector. A robust and resilient network and telecoms platform underpinned by excellent customer service is absolutely vital. G4S’ high security customers are dependent on a resilient service from G4S, and in-turn from Telefónica UK, and any loss of that service provides G4S with significant reputational and commercial impact. We’re proud G4S has selected us for such a crucial role in their business.”

Julian McGovern, IT Director for G4S Secure Solutions (UK & Ireland), said: “Telefónica has provided us with a highly cost effective solution that allows us to unify our UK data and voice communications through a single provider. This new network will be key to us being able to leverage economies of scale across our ICT services and enabling business growth through easy access to corporate solutions”.

About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Its activities are centred mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses with broadband as the key tool for the development of both. The company has a customer base of more than 290 million customers around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy. Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders.  Telefónica Multinational Solutions is a central organisation that is aligned and works in conjunction with the Telefónica operating companies to deliver services to MNC customers. More information about Telefónica Multinational Solutions is available at: www.multinationalsolutions.telefonica.com.

O2 Unify is an exciting new joint venture between Telefónica UK and 2e2, the fastest growing IT service provider in Europe, that will provide organisations of all sizes the opportunity to outsource IT and communications needs to a single provider, to boost productivity to drive savings and all delivered with an outstanding service experience. O2 Unify combines the strength and depth of Telefónica with that of a leading IT services company. Customers will have full access to an extensive ICT service framework. In addition to traditional converged solutions, spanning fixed, mobile, voice and data, Telefónica UK now offers a portfolio of services including Managed networks, Cloud services and Flexible working solutions. Telefónica UK now with O2 Unify aims to become the communications integrator of choice for Enterprises by 2012.

About G4S Secure Solutions (UK and Ireland)
G4S Secure Solutions is the largest security solutions company in the UK and Ireland with a turnover of more than £1.2 billion and 42,000 employees. More than 6,000 customers, including 59 FTSE 100 companies and the majority of UK Government departments, depend on G4S to provide them with a safe and secure way to deliver their services. For more information please visit www.g4s.uk.com