Zurich Insurance Group Selects BT As Global Networking Provider

IRVING, Texas, July 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BT today announced that it has entered into a six-year global communications and network contract with Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich). The agreement will help transform Zurich's IT infrastructure and is expected to deliver increased network performance and improved audio and video capabilities for the company's customers and employees.

Under the agreement, BT will consolidate, modernize and manage Zurich's communications infrastructure, which underpins the insurer's operations across 49 countries worldwide. The contract covers internet connectivity, global wide area networking and local area networking as well as IP telephony and enterprise voice services. It also includes technology supporting Zurich's global contact centers.

In addition, BT will provide highly productive audio conferencing services using its pioneering high-definition BT MeetMe with Dolby Voice service. BT will also manage the video conferencing systems for Zurich located around the globe.

Robert Dickie, chief operations and technology officer, Zurich Insurance Group, said: "This is a major agreement for Zurich and a key part of our Group's IT & Operations transformation.

"There are significant advantages in working with a truly global company, not the least of which are the increased agility and efficiency in dealing with one main provider."

Using BT IP Connect — one of the world's largest international virtual private network services which converges voice, video and data onto a single IP network — BT will deliver high bandwidth connectivity into various locations globally and will also provide connectivity into Zurich's main data centers.

Luis Alvarez, chief executive, BT Global Services, said: "Zurich has entrusted BT to manage its communications network because we understand that it's critical for global companies to have local capability to serve customers wherever they may be. Zurich's global network creates a foundation for seamless collaboration for employees worldwide and enables them to access the increasing number of business applications and services."

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About Zurich Insurance Group

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With more than 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. Zurich's customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in more than 170 countries. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.

About BT

BT's purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world.  It is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of five customer-facing lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Business, BT Consumer, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2015, BT Group's reported revenue was £17,979m with reported profit before taxation of £2,645m.

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.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com.

SOURCE BT

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