PHILIPS AND TISCALI SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
New partnership gives businesses access to broad services including IP telephony, WAN, VPN and data network expertise
15 September 2004: International communications technology vendor, Philips Business Communications (PBC) and Tiscali Business Services, a subsidiary of Tiscali the internet communications company, today announced a strategic partnership agreement, which combines PBC’s portfolio of IP-enabled communications systems with Tiscali’s core expertise and solutions in WAN, VPN and data network services.
Under the terms of the agreement, PBC and Tiscali will jointly promote both companies’ products and services to new and existing customers in the public and private sectors, creating new business opportunities for both parties.
PBC has a broad portfolio of communications systems that can function in and support a hybrid network with pure peer-to-peer switching, IP/TDM/IP switching and traditional digital/analogue switching. In addition, the PBC portfolio includes digital & IP handsets, IP DECT, softphones and other communication applications for deployment with various communication devices. All of these products are ideally suited to companies who want to be able to follow a gradual migration path towards full convergence and VoIP, at a pace that works with any organisation’s specific requirements.
PBC’s product offering will be enhanced by Tiscali’s range of IP-based services that provide businesses with a single MPLS VPN WAN solution offering different levels of prioritisation combined with the highest level of service, guaranteeing bandwidth and minimum delay for real-time traffic such as voice and video. This service will be available over multiple access methods including leased lines, LES circuits and broadband (ADSL and SDSL).
Chris de Silva, managing Director of Philips Business Communications, says, “The partnership with Tiscali further strengthens our position in the communication systems market, broadening the range of products and services that we can offer to end-users, particularly in terms of flexible working & cost-effective telephony across an IP-based Virtual Private Network.”
He continues, “The increasing availability of broadband technology to the home is opening up employment opportunities to a new home or remote workforce – from carers and parents to the disabled or those in areas of rural deprivation. This enables a flexible approach to working that is seamless to colleagues, customers and business partners whether an individual is based at HQ, in a branch office, at home or mobile. Using feature rich telephony technology, an individual has a universal contact number that is the immediate point of contact irrespective of location.”
Mike Edwards, Managing Director at Tiscali Business Services, says, "We are delighted to have Philips as a partner. With its proven expertise in business communications and outstanding and positive reputation in this sector, we know we have a partner who will deliver the best results to customers and one with whom we can build a successful and mutually beneficial long-term relationship.”
About Philips Business Communications
Philips Business Communications (PBC) is an international communications technology vendor headquartered in Hilversum, Netherlands and with its UK head office in Cambridge.
PBC specialises in the provision of communications systems and the associated infrastructure, applications and services which are vital to all medium and large-sized enterprises in both the public and private sectors.
With an annual turnover in the region of €250 million and 1100 employees operating in 50 countries, PBC is a global communications technology vendor whilst being an autonomous business unit within Royal Philips Electronics.
PBC has extensive expertise in the areas of converged networks, virtual offices and customer relations providing its customers with all the benefits of simple to use, sophisticated voice systems which incorporate networking, mobile, messaging, contact centre solutions and IP telephony.
PBC’s core product offering is based around its series of voice servers, wired and wireless peripherals, applications software and converged voice and data integration services, which are marketed under the SOPHO brand name. PBC continues to build upon its ICT heritage by expanding into the areas of web-enabled applications, systems integration and valued added services.
PBC currently provides communications products and services to over 12 million end-users, targeting a broad range of vertical markets including healthcare, government, public safety, utilities, education and hospitality.
About Tiscali UK Business Services
Tiscali UK forms part of Tiscali SpA., headquartered in Cagliari, Italy. The UK company was launched in July, 2001 following the acquisitions of Liberty Surf, World Online and LineOne. Most recently, Tiscali UK acquired Tiny and Gateway ISP. Tiscali UK is positioned within the UK market as the 4th largest ISP.
Tiscali S.p.A., (Nuovo Mercato, Milan: TIS, Nouveau Marché, Paris: 005773), is the European Internet Company providing access, content and business applications, as well as innovative communications services. As at 30 June 2004, Tiscali had over 7.9 million active users of which 1.44 million were broadband customers.
Tiscali's corporate website can be found at www.tiscali.com
Tiscali UK Business Services, a leader in ADSL wholesale, has a focused product portfolio enabling customers to choose from IP Virtual Private Network and Managed Hosting solutions, ADSL and Leased line access, Streaming Media, Virtual Internet Service Provision and Telephony services.
Visit the Tiscali UK Business Services website: www.tiscali-business.co.uk