O2 signs multi-million pound contract with G4S Secure Solutions

Operator claims deal to provide security company with a network and telecoms platform is one of the biggest it has completed in the business sector

O2 has signed a multi-million pound contract with international security solutions group G4S Secure Solutions (UK & Ireland) to provide it with a network and telecommunications platform, a deal the operator claimed was one of the biggest it has completed in the business sector.

O2 claimed the network and platform will reduce G4S’ communications costs by a minimum of 25 per cent and maintain a high level of service to its customers.

Telefonica Multinational Solutions, which is now the preferred telecommunications supplier for G4S, will provide the company with services including mobile, fixed voice, business broadband,  Wide Area Network (WAN) services, telemarketing, PBX maintenance and IP telephony.

The service will be delivered through the operator’s UK proposition O2 Unify, which provides businesses with the opportunity to outsource their IT and communications needs to a single provider.

It addition to the cost savings, O2 said the deal marks the latest phase of G4S’ strategy to consolidate its supplier base after choosing ICT as a key operational expense to focus on.

O2 UK business director Ben Dowd said: “Effective communications is critical to any business, but particularly for one such as G4S which operates in a complex and challenging sector. A robust and resilient network and telecoms platform underpinned by excellent customer service is absolutely vital.

“G4S’ high security customers are dependent on a resilient service from G4S, and in turn from O2 UK, and any loss of that service provides G4S with significant reputational and commercial impact. We’re proud G4S has selected us for such a crucial role in their business.”

G4S Secure Solutions (UK & Ireland) IT director Julian McGovern said: “Telefonica has provided us with a highly cost effective solution that allows us to unify our UK data and voice communications thorugh a single provider. This new network will be key to us being able to leverage economies of scale across our ICT services and enabling business growth through easy access to corporate solutions.”