BT Buys Infonet Deutschland

LONDON -- BT announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Infonet Network Services Deutschland GmbH (Infonet Deutschland). This follows BT’s acquisition of California-based Infonet Services Corporation, one of the world’s leading providers of international managed voice and data network services, in February, 2005. BT currently owns 18% of Infonet Deutschland and will acquire the remaining 82% from T-Systems, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG.

Infonet Deutschland provides more than 200 major corporate and public sector organisations with integrated network solutions such as IP-based Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Internet connectivity and Remote Access Services and employs 61 staff.

Jan Geldmacher, CEO of BT Germany, said: “This acquisition is a perfect fit as we are further broadening our footprint in the German market. Infonet is known for its strength in product quality and customer service and this transaction will complement BT’s strengths in the market for networked IT services.”

Micheline Wens, General Manager of Infonet Deutschland, said: “We are proud to join BT. This is great news for our customers, who will continue to receive the same high-quality service that they are accustomed to. By combining our strengths with BT’s capabilities, we’ll be able to provide our customers with an even more complete portfolio of innovative services.”

Infonet’s management team, led by Micheline Wens, will remain in place to manage the business, maintain continuity for customers and assist in the integration of the two customer bases and product sets. Wens will be member of the Country Executive Team of BT Germany. Completion of the transaction, which is conditional upon regulatory approvals, is expected within two months. For the period to 31 December 2004 the gross assets of the company had a value of € 19.2 m.

BT Group plc