Report Information | Contents | Guide to Company Ratings |

AT&T
Despite the global economic downturn and industry-wide wireline revenue declines, AT&T keeps up its global investment, expanding its infrastructure and building advanced services in strategic sectors such as telepresence and utility computing. (11/13/2009)

Azzurri Communications
Azzurri Communications’ extensive auditing services allow it to offer an attractive cost-saving message. Still, the onus is on Azzurri to show that it can deliver the high-level services (e.g., security) that it needs to move up the value chain. (2/9/2009)

Belgacom
Belgacom’s Enterprise division continues to deliver good results and has expanded the reach of its Explore platform. The company is well positioned to provide advanced converged and integrated solutions and now needs to deliver on its potential. (12/15/2009)

BT
BT Global Services has disappointed with significant write- downs on outsourcing contracts and a lack of discipline on cost control. The wheels are in motion to restructure and reduce costs, capabilities are strong, and BTGS can recover from this. (5/15/2009)

BT (Germany)
BT Germany offers competitive national coverage and access to BT’s very competitive global MPLS service. The vendor has now exceeded EUR 1 billion in national revenue and improvements to its WAN and Ethernet services make it a strong competitor. (12/29/2008)

BT (Italy)
BT is a powerful pan-European player with consistent momentum and a solid local presence in Italy. The company is pushing aggressively to be a leading regional provider of IT and network services via both organic growth and timely acquisition. (12/30/2008)

BT (Switzerland)
BT Switzerland offers stiff competition for those seeking contracts with Swiss MNCs. BT’s national network presence is limited, but it can point to partnerships (e.g., Swisscom) and contract wins (e.g., Credit Suisse) to show it has traction. (2/4/2009)

BT (UK)
BT UK remains the UK market leader and is pushing ahead with the expansion of its access capabilities, including ADSL2+ and FTTx. BT faces increasing competition, particularly from mobile operators, but is well placed to maintain its dominance. (1/12/2010)

Cable & Wireless Wireless
Cable & Wireless Worldwide is BT’s biggest threat in the UK, where its strategy to focus on critical communication needs of largest enterprises is paying off. Asia is another bright spot in its global footprint, but European sales are sadly lacking. (2/11/2010)

COLT Telecom
COLT Telecom continues to expand its Ethernet capabilities with over 95 E-NNIs in place worldwide, and it has completed its European NGN rollout. Its revenue has fallen slightly, but rising profits and continuing customer wins are positive signs. (11/20/2009)

COLT Telecom (Germany)
COLT Germany’s advanced in-country network offers threatening Ethernet services backed by strong SLAs and COLT is developing SI services. However, COLT lacks recent big customer wins and its lack of a mobility offer creates a gap in its portfolio. (1/7/2009)

COLT Telecom (UK)
COLT UK is intelligently expanding its national network with new PoPs around the UK’s major cities and it offers one of the most advanced Ethernet solutions in the UK. Still, limited mobility services and strong UK competition are big challenges. (1/7/2009)

Completel
Completel is a strong player in France, thanks to considerable infrastructure assets and a competitive corporate voice and data range. Increasing margins is a challenge, and a number of French operators enjoy scale advantages. (1/7/2009)

Deutsche Telekom
DT Geschaeftskunden has come a long way in a short amount of time. It is working closer than ever with T-Mobile on convergence and will integrate next year, has a clear strategy for IT services, new segmentation and a solid product roadmap. (8/27/2009)

Easynet Connect
Easynet Connect offers a threatening portfolio of xDSL and leased line services for SMEs. A lack of mobility services and intense competition are concerns for the ISP, but a good customer service record makes Easynet a genuine option UK SMEs. (11/17/2008)

Easynet Global Services
Easynet Global Services continues to win network and managed services contracts in the UK and Europe and has reference customers such as EDF and Via Michelin. Easynet is still small, but, backed by BSkyB, it is well placed to expand. (12/21/2009)

Elisa
Elisa is investing in higher-margin ICT services and expanding its service delivery capabilities in Russia. While it has defended its presence in its domestic enterprise market, the company is still vulnerable in other Nordic markets. (2/9/2010)

euNetworks
euNetworks has been enjoying strong sales win momentum based on its compelling messages of very high-speed Ethernet connectivity across five European countries. However, its small size is a concern in a crowded pond full of much larger fish. (10/20/2009)

Exponential-e
Exponential-e is a unique and innovative company offering hybrid Layer 2/3 WANs backed by Ethernet VPLS. Its small size may raise concerns, but the company is growing rapidly and plans to expand its reach and customer base during 2009. (3/24/2009)

FASTWEB
FASTWEB has strong fibre and LLU programs for competitive all-IP business services. It intends to ramp up enterprise services this year, but it needs to leverage close ties with Swisscom and improve brand perception within this segment. (3/3/2009)

Global Crossing
Global Crossing seems to have weathered the economic storms of 2009. Revenue from growth services outpaced declines in legacy products, and the carrier has executed on key initiatives, leaving it well-positioned for a strong 2010. (1/6/2010)

Global Crossing (UK)
Global Crossing UK continues to make progress with an improved Ethernet product and new managed data centre services. However, GCUK has yet to silence all its doubters, and a lack of major customer wins during 2009 keeps pressure on the operator. (12/2/2009)

KCOM
KCOM has followed its deal with BT Wholesale by merging Affiniti and KC under the KCOM brand. This is a new departure for the group and initial financial results are positive. However, a weak brand and large debts are serious issues for KCOM. (2/8/2010)

KPN
KPN is a frontrunner in Europe for its All-IP network, but it is also becoming a major ICT player with the successful integration of Getronics. Its ICT services for the mid-market are moving along nicely with cloud-based business models. (12/30/2009)

neuf cegetel
neuf cegetel offers a solid broadband, IP and wireless portfolio to French enterprises, and SFR's acquisition will result in a powerhouse merged fixed and mobile provider presenting a heightened threat to France Telecom and other competitors. (11/10/2008)

ntl:Telewest Business
ntl:Telewest Business has further strengthened its Ethernet portfolio with the launch of a national any-to-any VPLS service. The provider’s market share remains low, but its decision to expand its sweet spot should help it to win more customers. (9/16/2009)

ONO
ONO offers a competitive range of products for Spanish SMEs and larger enterprises, including enterprise-class VoIP with multimedia support, but the company is primarily a consumer-oriented player with growth driven by the residential market. (12/29/2008)

Opal Telecom
Opal offers aggressively priced business-grade ADSL2+ and has a comprehensive mobile and fixed portfolio including SDSL and Ethernet. Its small size and reliance on low margins are weaknesses, but acquiring Tiscali shows its financial strength. (6/12/2009)

Orange Busines Services
Orange Business Services continues its successful sales momentum, leveraging its extensive global reach and operations, and fixed and wireless assets. Recent marketing messages zero in on cost-savings and support for real-time business. (2/19/2010)

QSC
QSC has maintained positive financial momentum and it continues to win new customers and keep renewals, but the size of contracts is not expanding and its managed service business is flat. The company will need to make some big decisions in 2010. (3/2/2010)

Reliance Globalcom
Reliance Globalcom has a strong global infrastructure that it is continuing to build out through investment. It is gaining more ground in winning enterprise contracts and looking to improve its managed services offerings. (1/19/2010)

Sunrise
Sunrise has shown modest growth in customer numbers on top of those gained through Tele2. However, Sunrise is still not a serious threat in the Swiss business market and parent company TDC’s financial troubles cast doubt over Sunrise’s future. (12/1/2009)

Swisscom
Swisscom continues to underline its status as the dominant force in Switzerland with solid financial results and strong MNC and SME portfolios. Expansion outside Switzerland remains a challenge, but national customer wins continue to come its way. (11/19/2009)

T-Systems
T-Systems is still winning big deal accounts in 2009 and globalizing its ICT services by lowering cost-base and improving sourcing. It has also doubled its MPLS coverage and can offer services directly in 53 countries. (7/2/2009)

Tata Communications
Tata Communications has a strong global infrastructure and it is placing its bets on establishing a ‘direct’ presence in many emerging markets. The carrier is an early mover in telepresence, and it is gradually building up its services portfolio. (1/22/2010)

TDC
TDC’s concentration of its Nordic business units and its deal with AT&T will allow it to improve its global services. TDC must now make full use of AT&T’s LAN/WAN service portfolio to show that the agreement is not a one-way deal. (1/15/2010)

Telecom Italia
Telecom Italia’s multinational strategy has been weakened by the intention to sell parts of TI Sparkle. Domestically, Fastweb continues to make inroads in enterprise, leaving Telecom Italia struggling to protect its established base. (12/14/2009)

Telefónica Multinational Solutions
Telefónica is a major global player with extensive assets and infrastructure, but faces challenges in integrating and managing diverse operations and substantially raising its profile among multinationals not based in Spain or Latin America. (11/13/2009)

Telefónica O2 Germany
Telefonica O2 Germany combines the fourth largest mobile operator with a solid national IP network and local access capability. Despite having the weight and credibility of the Telefonica group, services have yet to gain momentum. (10/26/2009)

Telekom Austria
Telekom Austria shows no sign of losing its number-one status in its home market, but falling traditional revenues have hit its net profits. It can provide a holistic portfolio of fixed and mobile solutions as well as services such as managed UC. (12/4/2009)

Telenor
Telenor is increasing revenues and its partnership with Elisa should help to generate enterprise wins. Profit margins are a concern for Telenor, but it has resolved its dispute with Altimo and its Asian and Eastern European assets are a strength. (1/14/2010)

TeliaSonera
TeliaSonera continues to post contract wins, and it has a strong Nordic mobile presence and fixed network assets in Eastern Europe. Still, it faces strong competition for multinational customers and pressure in the Nordic corporate segment. (1/14/2010)

THUS
THUS has emerged from its acquisition by Cable & Wireless with a slimmer market focus, but still with an advanced SME portfolio and a bigger national reach. However it remains to be seen if its changed situation will affect its competitiveness. (6/8/2009)

Verizon Business
Verizon’s enterprise revenues took a hit in the rocky global economy in 2009, pushing the company to cut its headcount by another 13,000. Though the financial outlook is still shaky, Verizon Business has the resources to weather the storm. (3/12/2010)

Versatel AG
Versatel AG brands itself as Germany’s third largest infrastructure provider. It offers coverage in many secondary cities and is building up its IP telephony and Ethernet products. Yet, business services still make up a fraction of its revenues. (7/29/2009)

Vodafone Group
Vodafone Enterprise Business Unit is the number two provider in Germany for fixed and wireless services. It has launched several new products to support its ‘convergence’ strategy and forging local partnerships to support IT services. (8/20/2009)

Vtesse
Vtesse is a feisty competitor albeit with a narrow market focus. Strengths include high levels of customer-centricity, proven capabilities in high-performance low-latency Layer 2 optical transmission networks, plus IT integration with partners. (2/26/2009)

Wind
Wind is a major alternative operator in Italy able to offer compelling enterprise bundles thanks to both mobile and fixed assets, but competition remains intense and Wind can be positioned by rivals as primarily a consumer-oriented provider. (12/29/2008)

Company Description
Up-to-date look at what markets the company competes in and what it brings to those markets. Coverage includes: main product lines, important partnerships, key clients, recent sales wins.

Current Perspective
Our analysts give their assessment on whether or not the company has the technology, products & services and management team needed to compete in its markets.

Company Market/Sales Strategy
What are the company’s value proposition and key differentiators. How it positions itself in the market, and against its competitors. And what are its target audiences.

Company Strengths and Weaknesses
Unique tactical competitive analysis based on the specific tactics that a company is using, and in-depth analysis of its products and capabilities.

Recommended Competitor Actions
Who are the company's main competitors, and what actions we can expect from each competitor or the market at large.

Recommended End User/Customer Actions
How customers (either end users or purchasers of this product for resale/bundling) should view the company. Should customers consider purchasing products/services from this company? What specific actions or questions should the customer pursue during negotiation phase?

Publication date: Supplier Assessment reports are updated every four months