Cable And Wireless To Create Global Telecom Network For Tesco

Cable&Wireless has announced that it has signed a five-year £100 million partnership contract with Tesco to create a new next-generation telecommunications network for the retail group’s UK and international operations.

Cable&Wireless will become the exclusive supplier of data, fixed and mobile voice telecommunications to Tesco in the UK, streamlining the group’s existing systems into a single, efficient IP network, based on next generation platforms. This network will have 40 times the capacity of Tesco’s current network and will be built on Cable&Wireless’ Multi Service Platform (MSP).

The network will bring together all of Tesco’s existing UK communication infrastructure, connecting more than 1,800 Tesco sites including stores, regional offices and distribution centres. Internationally, the network will directly connect Tesco’s operations in 14 separate countries including China, India, Japan, the USA, Republic of Ireland and Turkey, connecting over 400,000 people.

Cable&Wireless will implement a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) platform on the network, which will significantly reduce Tesco’s voice and data call costs, as well as enable the introduction of a Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution for Tesco employees.

FMC will enable Tesco staff to use their existing mobile phone for all calls – operating as a fixed line phone in the office and roaming on to a mobile network when outside. The MSP-powered network will also allow Tesco’s management to consider a range of innovative communication tools like in-store information kiosks to improve operations and add to the customer experience.

Commenting, Jim Marsh, chief executive officer, Cable&Wireless Europe, Asia & US, said, “With this new partnership, Tesco will have a network that enhances its ability to do what it does best – sell to customers.”

Nick Folkes, Tesco’s IT Director, UK Infrastructure and Operations, said, “Cable&Wireless’ next generation network opens up a new set of opportunities for us. We can be much more creative in terms of the services we can offer our customers, as well as our staff.”