June 3, 2009 - BT (LSE: BT.A; NYSE: BT) today announced that it has successfully supported an exchange-to-exchange intercompany Cisco TelePresenceTM meeting after completing a call between a global retail provider and Kraft on the BT Global Video Exchange. The call between differing exchange networks facilitated by BT Conferencing demonstrates the feasibility of service provider interconnect for intercompany Cisco TelePresence and showcases BT's expanding capabilities in this area.
BT Global Video Exchange is a service that allows Cisco TelePresence connections between companies, driving more potential for use and faster return on investment. With businesses continuing to focus on reducing travel costs and lowering CO2 emissions, an increasing number are deploying Cisco TelePresence technologies as a viable solution. BT alone managed to save £192 million in travel costs and cut its CO2 emissions by as much as 84,087 tonnes last year by holding 1,976,438 conference and video calls.
Vinicius da Costa, associate director, IS Collaboration at Kraft commented, "In the current economic climate, businesses need to find ways to work smarter, increase employee productivity and reach decisions quickly. BT's offer of intercompany Cisco TelePresence meetings allows us to do just that. Our first experience with connecting to others outside of our enterprise went extremely well, and we are excited about being able to use BT's Global Video Exchange to actively communicate with partners, suppliers and customers in the future."
Jeff Prestel, General Manager of BT Conferencing's Video Business Unit, said: "In order to drive the ultimate value from their Cisco TelePresence systems, enterprises need to be able to collaborate with colleagues, partners and customers, regardless of their network provider. BT is once again leading the way in empowering our customers to experience the communications of the future and make the most of their TelePresence investments in financially difficult times. We are delighted that industry leaders such as Kraft and others have chosen to use our service."
BT Global Video Exchange has recently won the "2008 Product of the Year Award" from Unified Communications magazine as well as the Cisco Network Innovation Award for 'Best Video Project of 2008'.
About BT Conferencing
BT Conferencing was established more than 20 years ago and is now a leading global provider of audio, video and web conferencing and collaboration services with current reach in more than 75 countries. BT Conferencing is based in the USA, EMEA and Asia Pacific and specialises in the delivery of reliable, robust and innovative conferencing and collaborative solutions and product hardware to some of the largest companies in the world. The company offers tailor-made solutions to customers, whether they are major global businesses or small enterprises. With businesses now juggling to increase productivity, being more environmentally aware and at the same time looking to improve the work-life balance of its employees, conferencing and collaboration services provide a cost effective and time saving solution.
For more information visit www.bt.com/conferencing
About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group's revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
