As part of the plan, first announced in May, the UK incumbent has begun hiring 300 new staff to work with customers in its target territories of Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Singapore. BT said approximately 80% of its largest customers by turnover are expanding their business in Asia.
It is also planning to establish a response centre in Singapore which it said will enhance its ability to pursue large regional managed services deals. The company’s offer for the Asia-Pacific market will now include voice, IP, managed security and unified communications services, as well as support for contact centres, data centres and mobile workforces.
“We looked at what our top customers needed to be more successful in Asia-Pacific,” said Jeff Kelly, CEO of BT Global Services. “Our research told us they want a broad suite of propositions and professional service capabilities that are the same wherever they operate. The first phase of our investment programme will globalise the key propositions and services our customers require from us. We are also building out our professional services capability to serve the needs of even the largest customers. All this will help accelerate the profitable growth of our business in the region.”
BT is also planning to open a suite of technology showcase centres in Beijing, Delhi, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney where it says customers will be able interact with leading-edge technologies.
“International wholesalers believe that Asia is the world’s most potent growth market, according to the upcoming Smart Wholesale survey that Yankee Group has been fielding with Capacity magazine,” said Camille Mendler, vice president of global communications with Yankee Group. “It’s no surprise that BT is investing in the region, but it isn’t alone in this gold rush. Asian powerhouses are gearing up to rout foreign interlopers. The competition will be brutal.”
