Equant IP VPN Connects Ficosa's Offices Worldwide
ATLANTA--July 16, 2002--Equant (Euronext Paris: EQU), an industry leader in global IP and data services for multinational businesses, will provide a customized IP VPN solution to interconnect more than 20 offices in 12 countries for Ficosa International.
Ficosa is the Spanish leader in designing and manufacturing components and high technology systems for the automotive industry.
Under the four-year agreement, Equant will be the exclusive network services provider for Ficosa, supplying a wide portfolio of managed services through Equant IP VPN. Equant IP VPN combines data and voice communications on a single, cost-effective IP connection. The network will connect Ficosa's employees, customers, partners and suppliers, providing both direct and dial-up access to applications including those for back-office activities, production management and e-mail via Lotus Notes. In the future, Ficosa will have access to European Automotive Network Exchange (ENX) through the Equant IP VPN connection.
Sandro Bosch, head of Information Technology of Ficosa International, said, "Our mission is to grow and develop our company as a competitive and high-quality global provider. Speed and efficiency in communications are key elements for our development, and we look to Equant to provide them."
Equant IP VPN will enable Ficosa to service its customers more effectively in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. By bringing Ficosa's design teams, researchers and customers closer together throughout the supply chain, new and innovative designs can quickly be incorporated into cars improving motor safety, reducing costs and enhancing the driving experience.
"Ficosa is made up of more than 30 companies on three continents that require a highly flexible, secure network," said Detlef Spang, head of Markets and Sales for Western Europe, Equant. "With Equant IP VPN, Ficosa will have any-to-any connectivity which easily supports expansion and other organizational changes, as well as the benefit of traffic prioritization to ensure that the network is meeting its communications needs."
About Equant
Equant (Euronext Paris: EQU) is a recognized industry leader in global IP and data services for multinational businesses, offering network, integration and managed services to global business. The network has unmatched seamless global reach, connecting key business centers in 220 countries and territories, with local support in 145 countries and territories. Building on more than 50 years of experience in data communications, Equant serves thousands of the world's top companies. Equant, a member of the France Telecom Group, meets the diverse needs of global companies with the industry's most extensive portfolio of managed data network services. Equant's 2001 revenues, on a pro forma basis, were more than $3 billion.
About Ficosa International
Ficosa International, a Spanish multinational created in 1949, is the leader in conception, designing and manufacturing of automotive components and systems, with its own technologies and patents and a culture based on high technology development. Ficosa is made up of more than 30 companies distributed in 18 countries on three continents. Ficosa has more than 6,000 employees and 2001 revenue of 667.03 million Euros. More information on Ficosa International is available on Ficosa's Web site at http://www.ficosa.com.
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 and the submission on Form 6-K containing the shareholder's circular, which identify 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 Equant's history of operating losses, the unpredictability of growth in Equant's markets, Equant's rapid growth, changing technology, uncertain and changing regulatory restrictions, Equant's international operations, dependence on suppliers, network security issues, competition, and volatility of Equant's stock price and risks relating to the combination with Global One. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Equant on the date hereof, and Equant assumes no obligation to update such statements.