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Telecommunications industry

Data Communications Technology: A New Era of Partnerships and Competitions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The data communications market is growing exponentially, driven by the convergence of technologies that enable fast and efficient communication of digital data. The market is expected to reach 25% year-on-year growth in Europe, with telecoms companies partnering and competing simultaneously to meet the needs of multinational clients. The recent joint venture between BT and AT&T, worth $1 billion, aims to create a platform for developing a next-generation internet that can carry voice and data at rates of 200 gigabits per second. This venture brings together two commercial giants, combining the technology of the world's largest telecoms company with the international assets of Britain's market leader.

Key Takeaways:

  • The data communications market is growing at a rate of 25% year-on-year in Europe, driven by the convergence of technologies.
  • The joint venture between BT and AT&T, worth $1 billion, aims to create a platform for developing a next-generation internet.
  • The new platform will initially carry voice and data at rates of 200 gigabits per second.
  • The venture combines the technology of the world's largest telecoms company with the international assets of Britain's market leader.
  • BT brings its US data communications network, Concert, to the deal, which has a global network with service and network management centers in Atlanta, Tokyo, Sydney, and Amsterdam.
  • Concert generates $1 billion in revenue.
  • BT and AT&T will have a merged international business, creating a carrier's business with 32,000 km of cable at their disposal.
  • The network will link 100 cities worldwide.
  • Cable & Wireless is also entering the data communications arena, having acquired MCI's data network in the US, and announced a £400 million upgrade of its cable network, called Network 2000.
  • Network 2000 is a partnership with telecoms supplier Nortel to install advanced systems.

Statistics:

  • The data communications market is growing at a rate of 25% year-on-year in Europe.
  • The joint venture between BT and AT&T is worth $1 billion.
  • The new platform will initially carry voice and data at rates of 200 gigabits per second.
  • The network will link 100 cities worldwide.
  • BT brings its US data communications network, Concert, to the deal, which has a global network with service and network management centers in Atlanta, Tokyo, Sydney, and Amsterdam.
  • Concert generates $1 billion in revenue.
  • BT has a 32,000 km of cable at its disposal through its joint ventures with other telecoms companies.

Sources:

  • "The Times", 1998.

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