[November 18, 2004] SingTel Connects More Global Companies into Asia Renowned Sports Company Chose Singtel over Long-Term European Telco Partner SINGAPORE, Nov. 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) has won a multi-million dollar contract to upgrade the Asian telecommunications network for Decathlon, a well-known French sports retailer/designer and manufacturer. Under this three-year contract, SingTel will provide Decathlon with a ConnectPlus IP VPN network linking Decathlon's headquarters in France to its offices and warehouses across ten cities in China, India, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Applications such as Wide Area Network (WAN), email and Internet access will be carried via SingTel's network, allowing Decathlon to communicate with its 600 employees in the regional offices in real-time. Asian markets such as China have become increasingly important for Decathlon. Today, Decathlon has three successful stores in Guangzhou and Shanghai and a fourth is expected to be ready by end of the year. With its expansion plan in China and increasing demand in Asia, Decathlon needs a reliable telecommunications service provider who has extensive coverage and connectivity as well as the ability to provide local support and one-stop-shop solutions across the region. Decathlon chose SingTel over several leading global telcos that participated in the bid. Mr Arnaud Lescroart, CIO of Decathlon, said, "We are pleased to appoint SingTel as our Asia Pacific communications partner. We hope it's a first step of a long cooperation between us. Decathlon's communications needs in China and this region will be supported by SingTel, a strong and reliable partner who can offer high quality and cost effective solutions." Mr Chong Chin Kok, CEO (SingTel Global Offices), said, "Decathlon is among an increasing number of global companies that recognise the benefits of IP and have taken the bold step of using IP VPN as the backbone of their telecommunications infrastructure. We are delighted that Decathlon has chosen to work with SingTel, which offers extensive IP VPN coverage in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States." "As more European companies expand their business into Asia and especially in China, there will be an increase in demand for high quality communications services to link offices in Europe to this region." "SingTel's extensive connectivity in Asia and its strong alliance with major Chinese telco partners make us a natural choice for MNCs seeking connectivity into this part of the world as well as China," added Mr Chong. Decathlon is one of the major European multinational corporations that has appointed SingTel to provide a pan-Asian telecommunications network using its ConnectPlus IP VPN service. Other MNCs that are using SingTel IP VPN solution include Bax Global, Exel, Kodak and Sumitomo. SingTel has three offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai set up to support multinational customers who have operations in China. Note to editors: Operated over SingTel's own Gigabit IP backbone, SingTel's IP VPN is based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology that combines the security of a traditional private network with Quality of Service features and the flexibility of IP. The service is suitable for companies with multiple sites locally and globally who want to meet their intra-corporate and extra- corporate communication needs. SingTel was the first telco to launch IP-based VPN services in Singapore in 1998. It has since expanded its IP VPN network rapidly throughout the region. Today, SingTel has established dedicated IP POPs covering more than 25 cities in 16 countries in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. This allows multinational companies to enjoy any-to-any connectivity by choosing access services that meet their business needs and suitable for use in their country. SingTel has established alliances with major Chinese carriers such as China Netcom and China Telecom. It has recently partnered CPCNet, a Hong Kong based company which runs IP VPN into Greater China. SingTel, with its extensive presence in Asia, is therefore in a strong position to meet the needs of companies that require connectivity into China and the region. About SingTel SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with operations and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond. With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly- owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms. To serve the needs of multi-national corporations, SingTel has a network of 32 offices in 16 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the US. These offices enable SingTel to deliver reliable and quality network solutions to its customers, either on its own or jointly with local partners. The Group also has major investments in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia's largest multi-market mobile operator, serving more than 56 million customers in six markets. SingTel employs more than 19,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of S$12.0 billion (US$7.17 billion) and net profit after tax of S$4.49 billion (US$2.68 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2004. More information can be found at http://www.singtel.com/ and http://www.optus.com.au/ . About Decathlon Decathlon is a well-known French sports retailer and designer established in 1976 in Lille North France. Now Decathlon is present in 22 countries over the world, including 313 stores together with 26,500 employees worldwide. The 313 stores, including 99 outside France, are the core of Decathlon retailing activity. They employ 87% of the staff, i.e. 23,000 team members, and welcome 80 million customers every year over the world. Their shelf-space display 35,000 referenced products on an average surface of 3000 m2. In 2003, Decathlon's turnover reached 3.1 billion euros, increasing by 10,5% as compared with the previous year. Now Decathlon focuses on their business expansion in China and India. Their largest Asia store was open in Shanghai last Nov, and 2nd was open in Sept. 2004, and they are going to open many stores in China. Their Asia hub is based in Shanghai, China. Contact: Chia Boon Chong Senior Corporate Communications Manager SingTel Tel: +65-6838-2022 Email: [email protected] SingTel CONTACT: Chia Boon Chong of SingTel, +65-6838-2022, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.singtel.com/http://www.optus.com.au/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]