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Spencer Stuart Extends Its IP VPN Contract with Equant to Pursue New Markets and Reduce Costs Leading global executive search firm signs 3-year, 5.6M contract extension that includes IP VPN to 50 sites, Internet Direct, IP Dial, and consulting servicesWASHINGTON (May 14, 2004) – Equant has signed a 3-year, $5.6 million IP VPN contract extension with Chicago-based Spencer Stuart. This contract extension demonstrates Equant’s strategy to develop global, customized and integrated communications services, building on its high-end IP VPN strengths with a particular focus on growing its customer base in North America. Founded in 1956, Spencer Stuart is the foremost privately held, global executive search firm, spanning over 50 offices in 25 countries. It has been an Equant customer since 2001 and has a state-of-the-art Equant IP VPN network linking more than 50 of its sites worldwide. Equant’s classes of service allow Spencer to prioritize its mission-critical applications, including proprietary software used for secure transmission of classified executive dossiers. The traffic prioritization and other efficiencies from the fully managed Equant solution have helped the company reduce its operating costs and free up its IT staff to focus on core business issues. In 2004, Spencer Stuart targeted additional savings over the next three years, and, based on its initial successful experience, chose Equant as the best partner to achieve that goal. In addition to the introduction of new IP VPN sites in strategic markets by mid-2004, the new contract calls for Equant to provide high-quality Internet and remote access services, as well as network consulting and fault management. Spencer Stuart is also considering leveraging the convergence capabilities of Equant IP VPN to integrate its voice and data traffic on a single connection, further reducing costs and enhancing performance. “We chose Equant as the best qualified partner to provide cost-effective solutions and incountry technical support as we expand into new markets and grow our business,” said Rick Abel, Chief Technology Officer of Spencer Stuart. “As our relationship has developed, it is clear that Equant and Spencer Stuart share many of the same corporate values and strategies for success.” “Reducing total cost of ownership is a top priority for all major multinational companies today,” said Bruce Smith, Equant’s senior vice president for North America. “We are particularly pleased that such an important multinational customer as Spencer Stuart is confident we can continue to help them achieve major savings and expand into new markets.” About Equant Equant (NYSE: ENT) (Euronext Paris: EQU) is a recognized industry leader in global communications services for multinational businesses. Equant combines its network expertise – including unmatched seamless network reach in 220 countries and territories and local support in approximately 165 countries – with its expanded services capabilities to provide global, integrated and customized communication services to enable its customers key business processes. Equant serves thousands of the world’s top companies, with the industry’s most extensive portfolio of communications services and network solutions, including the market-leading IP VPN used by more than 1,200 global businesses as of March 31, 2004. Equant, a subsidiary of France Telecom, was named Best Global Carrier 2003 and Best Managed Service 2003 at the World Communication Awards and consistently leads industry surveys in corporate user satisfaction. About Spencer Stuart Spencer Stuart is the foremost privately held, global executive search firm, spanning over 50 offices in 25 countries. Since 1956, it has been providing select clients with a range of human capital solutions, including senior–level executive search, board director appointments and strategic leadership services. It conducts nearly 4,000 assignments each year, partnering effectively with clients ranging from the Fortune 500, to mid–cap, to emerging growth companies across a broad range of industries and sectors. ### This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements related to Equant that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Equant with the SEC, specifically the most recent filing on Form 20-F, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things, risks relating to our history of operating losses, the unpredictability of growth in our industry, the fact that the interests of France Telecom, our largest shareholder, may differ from the interests of our other shareholders, changing technology, uncertain and changing regulatory restrictions, currency fluctuations, dependence on suppliers, network security issues, intense competition, in our industry, and volatility of our stock price. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Equant on the date hereof, and Equant assumes no obligation to update such statements. |