Posts Tagged ‘BT Wireless’
BT Wireless to adopt new brand, O2
BT Wireless, the mobile business of BT, today announced that the new consumer brand for the business will be O2. The holding company name will be changed to mmO2 plc effective immediately and upon demerger from BT, planned for later this year, the ordinary shares will be listed under this new name.
The operating units are expected to commence full migration to O2 for their customer products and services in Spring 2002.
The new brand, O2, embodies the Company’s ambition to provide essential, lifestyle-enabling mobile services to its customers. The Company’s strategy is to create one customer brand across its European footprint. The Company currently serves 16.1 million mobile customers in the UK, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Isle of Man. Genie, its integrated web and mobile portal, is one of the leading mobile internet businesses in Europe with 5.3 million registered accounts.
The unveiling of the new brand is an important milestone for the Company in the demerger process. This move follows BT Group’s announcement in May this year of plans to create two separately quoted businesses.
The new brand, developed in conjunction with brand agency Lambie Nairn, follows customer research and evaluation in each of the countries in which the Company operates. The results of the research demonstrate that the brand is recognisable and works internationally.
Peter Erskine, Chief Executive Officer of mmO2 plc, said: “We have chosen a brand identity that is modern and universal. We aim to build inseparable relationships with our customers, by delivering exciting and practical services they truly value. O2 symbolises commitment.”
Milestones in formation of mmO2 plc
Kent Thexton named as Chief Marketing and Data Officer for BT Wireless
Kent Thexton, president of Genie, BT wireless’ leading mobile internet portal, will also become chief marketing and data officer for BT wireless, it was announced today. He will be responsible for delivering mobile data leadership and next generation services for BT wireless. In this role, he will report to Peter Erskine, chief executive officer of BT wireless and will work closely with all the operating businesses.
BT wireless has a history of firsts in mobile data leadership, being the first to launch a WAP network and the first to launch GPRS in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. BT wireless has also announced its intention to co-operate with Deutsche Telekom on the roll-out of 3G mobile networks in the UK and Germany.
Peter Erskine, chief executive officer of BT wireless said: “At Genie, Kent demonstrated his ability to deliver innovative brand services that are truly valued by today’s mobile data customer. In this newly created role, we will leverage Kent’s experience to ensure BT wireless continues to achieve leadership in data and next generation services across all its operating businesses, building upon the Genie platform and capabilities.”
Kent Thexton added: “European mobile businesses are entering a critical phase in the development and delivery of essential data services to today’s mobile customers. All our operating businesses are delivering innovative mobile data services today to customers, and I am delighted at the opportunity to extend our leadership position further.
Following the successful launch of the UK portal in March 2000, Kent helped to establish Genie’s presence in 10 countries in Europe and Asia. Today, Genie has more than 5.5 million registered users and has achieved an average 103 million WAP page impressions per month during the quarter ending 30 June 2001. Consumer research shows that Genie is the most recognised mobile portal brand*.
Prior to Genie, Kent joined BT Cellnet as marketing director in 1998 where he was instrumental in the rebranding of the business and the launch of BT Cellnet’s pre-pay proposition. Before this role, he spent eight years in the Canadian mobile industry at Rogers AT&T where his roles included Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President of Marketing. His previous experience included Northern Telecom and Bell Canada.
Notes to Editors
BT wireless has a European footprint of wholly-owned operations in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (VIAG Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort), the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone) and the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom). BT wireless also includes Genie, which is one of Europe’s leading portals. BT wireless owns third generation licences to operate 3G mobile services in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands - all territories where it has already launched GPRS services - and expects to apply for a 3G licence in Ireland where the application process is expected to commence shortly.
BT announced on May 10 that it intends to demerge BT wireless before the end of this year.
Genie is BT Wireless’ mobile Internet portal and is comprised of web and WAP portals in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and a WAP portal in Malaysia with more than 5.5 million registrations in total.
For more information about Genie, please visit: www.genie.co.uk
*Genie traffic and user data sourced from Red Sheriff, 30 June 2001, Genie’s data collection software, data from Genie registration database and Genie Mobile sales reports all reported for quarter ending 30 June, 2001. “Consumer research” refers to independent consumer research undertaken by ICM in June 2001.
BT Wireless names Andrew Sukawaty as Deputy Chairman and Paul Myners as non-Executive Director
BT wireless today announces the appointment of Andrew Sukawaty as Deputy Chairman and Paul Myners as Non-Executive Director. They will join David Varney, Chairman, Peter Erskine, Chief Executive Officer and David Finch, Chief Financial Officer on the board of BT wireless.
Andrew Sukawaty, 46, is currently Partner and President of Callahan Associates, which operates cable television and broadband businesses worldwide. Andrew has an exceptional track record in the wireless communications sector and has been a leading light in the mobile phone and paging industries since their inception. Before moving to Callahan Associates, Andrew was Chief Executive and President of Sprint PCS, the largest Personal Communications Services operator in the US. There he led a team to make Sprint PCS the fastest growing wireless provider in the United States. Andrew was also CEO of NTL and COO of Mercury One2One where he launched the world’s first digital PCS company.
Paul Myners, 53, is Chairman of Gartmore Investment Management, the company which he first joined in 1985 as Chief Executive. He recently completed a Review of Institutional Investment for HM Treasury. Paul is Chairman of the Guardian Media Group, and non-executive Deputy Chairman of PowerGen. He is a City Disputes panellist, a member of the Financial Reporting Council and Chairman of the Lloyd’s of London Investment Committee. Previous non-executive directorships that he has held include Celltech and Orange.
They will both take up their roles on the BT wireless board in late summer, in preparation for the demerger of BTwireless later in the year.
David Varney, recently appointed Chairman-designate of BT wireless said: “The appointments of Andrew and Paul bring significant strength to add to the Board. Their breadth of experience will prove invaluable as we move towards the demerger and our independent life beyond.”
Peter Erskine, Chief Executive of BT wireless added: “Andrew Sukawaty and Paul Myners join us at a critical point in BTwireless’ evolution and bring vital skills to our Board. They will help the group prepare for the demerger and drive forward our strategy to be a leader in wireless communications and in the mobile data market.”
Andrew Sukawaty
Andrew Sukawaty, 46, is currently Partner and President of Callahan Associates, which operates cable television and broadband businesses worldwide. Prior to this role he was Chief Executive and President of Sprint PCS, the largest Personal Communications Services operator in the US. There he directed a team that made Sprint PCS the fastest growing wireless provider in the United States. He was instrumental in its growth from a business with a market capitalisation of US $2 billion to a business of over US $50 billion. He is also the former Chairman of the CTIA (Cellular Telephone Industry Association) and is currently on the board of Powerwave Technologies Inc. He has held leadership positions in NTL Limited where he was CEO; One-2-One, where as COO he launched the world’s first digital PCS company; Coastal (a U S West Cellular joint venture), US West Cellular, and AT&T. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and has an MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Paul Myners
Paul Myners, 53, is Chairman of Gartmore Investment Management. He first joined Gartmore Investment Management in 1985 as Chairman and Chief Executive when it was a small company with less than US $2billion in assets and was instrumental in its growth to one of the most successful UK pension fund businesses with assets of over £40 billion. He then took up the role of CEO of Natwest Wealth Management before rejoining Gartmore once again as CEO in 1999 to steer the company through its sale by Natwest to Nationwide. He recently completed a Review of Institutional Investment for HM Treasury. Paul is Chairman of the Guardian Media Group, and non-executive Deputy Chairman of PowerGen. He is a City Disputes panellist, a member of the Financial Reporting Council and Chairman of the Lloyd’s of London Investment Committee.
He has previously held directorships at the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation, the Lloyds Market Board, Celltech, the Scottish National Trust, Orange and the Association of Investment Trust Companies where he was Chairman.
BT wireless
BT wireless has a European footprint of cohesive wholly owned operations in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort), the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone) and the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom). BTwireless also includes Genie, which is one of Europe’s leading mobile Internet portals. BTwireless owns third generation licenses to operate 3G mobile services in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands - all territories where it has already launched GPRS services. We expect to apply for a 3G license in Ireland where the application process is expected to commence shortly.
BT announced on May 10 that it intends to demerge BTwireless before the end of this year.
David Finch named as Chief Finance Officer for BT Wireless
David Finch, currently Exel’s Group Finance Director, will become Chief Finance Officer of BT wireless, it was announced today. He will work with David Varney, recently appointed Chairman-designate, and Peter Erskine, chief executive officer, on the planned demerger of BT wireless from the BT Group later this year.
David Finch, 45, who will report to Peter Erskine, will take up his new role in mid-summer. He has extensive experience in financial management and planning for a major business with international presence and was instrumental in the merger of Exel plc. and Ocean Group plc. last year. Prior to this role, David Finch held senior posts at Novar plc. (formerly Caradon Plc.) and Grand Metropolitan plc.
David Varney said: “David Finch is well qualified to help develop and effectively communicate our commercial strategy with investors and analysts.
“His substantial experience as board director and his excellent analytical and financial management skills will help ensure that BT wireless emerges as a new successful independent business delivering shareholder value in this highly competitive market.”
Peter Erskine said: “He brings an invaluable range of skills and experience to assist us with the challenges ahead, and I look forward to working with him and welcoming him to our team. This is an important appointment as we drive forward the creation of a new board for a new, major FTSE 100 company.”
BT wireless
BT wireless has a major European footprint with wholly owned operations in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort), Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone). BT wireless also includes Genie, which is one of Europe’s leading mobile Internet portals. BT wireless owns third generation licences to operate 3G mobile services in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands - all territories where it has already launched GPRS services.
BT announced on May 10 that it intends to de-merge BT wireless before the end of this year.
David Varney to become first Chairman of BT Wireless
BT today announced the appointment of David Varney to be Chairman of BT wireless on its planned demerger from the BT Group later this year.
David Varney will become Chairman-designate later this month and will work with BT management and Peter Erskine, chief executive officer of BT wireless, in the run-up to the demerger.
David Varney has a strong track record of leading businesses that have improved their performance on a sustained basis. A skilled leader of organisational change, he has experience in both UK and overseas markets gained during his four years as chief executive of the BG Group and, prior to that, in a variety of senior roles at Shell.
He left BG plc., in 2000 having steered the Group to a successful demerger and put in place a strong management team for each of the two new companies, BG Group plc., and the Lattice Group plc.
David Varney said: “The stakes are high in the mobile market. Establishing the new BT wireless company and building on its business success are challenges that I relish.
“The demerged BT Wireless needs to be a flexible, nimble organisation alert to the opportunities in its marketplace. Its focused and accountable management team, led by Peter Erskine, will concentrate on growing shareholder value. I look forward to working with Peter and his colleagues as we drive forward the creation of a new, major FTSE 100 company.”
Peter Erskine said: “I am delighted that David Varney is to be BT wireless’ Chairman. We are determined to be a leader in the European mobile data market and are aggressively pursuing all commercial options to this end. I welcome the inputs that David Varney will undoubtedly provide at this critical and exciting time.”
BT wireless
BT wireless has a major European footprint with wholly owned operations in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (Viag Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort), Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone). BT wireless also includes Genie, which is one of Europe’s leading mobile Internet portals. BT wireless owns third generation licences to operate 3G mobile services in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands - all territories where it has already launched GPRS services.
BT announced on May 10 that it intends to de-merge BT wireless before the end of this year.