4-year, €29.8 million contract signed Dec. 17, 2010 supports EU Common Communication Network and Common System Interface project
The European Commission’s Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union signed a €29.8 million contract with Orange Business for the provision of wide area network services on Dec. 17, 2010 and the evolution of the network continues with testing underway for audio and Web conferencing. Under this contract, Orange Business is providing WAN services for four years with three possible extensions of one year each.
Headquartered in Brussels, the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union is a strategic part of the European Commission, one of the main institutions of the European Union. The Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union is managing the Common Communication Network and Common System Interface (CCN/CSI) project that supports a common, secure and reliable infrastructure interconnecting national Customs and Taxation administrations.
Orange connects 42 Customs and Taxation National Administrations in 33 countries with a wide area network under the framework contract for the CCN/CSI. The network covers all EU Member States as well as Croatia, Norway, Russia, Switzerland and Turkey. Orange ensures the continuity of the management, operation and security services of the current network infrastructure and its further evolution to meet future needs specifically by providing Secure Internet Access Point; Professional Services; and the provision and maintenance of network and security equipment. Currently, testing for audio and Web conferencing is underway which could enable cost-effective remote meetings with simple usage-based billing with no set-up or monthly subscription fees.
Orange offers a flexible and scalable solution allowing an easy expansion for any new location worldwide thanks to the unmatched reach of the Orange network. Orange can offer an extension of the network with a secured Internet gateway based on the latest technology and services. This global reach is complemented by on-the-ground field services so that Orange can offer the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union local IT support
“This contract clearly demonstrates and confirms the in-house capabilities that Orange has to serve the public sector,” said Helmut Reisinger, senior vice president, Europe, Orange Business. “Orange provides a one-stop-shop service concept for all network and security services, support needs and professional services. Our professional services experts have industry-leading qualifications as well as recognized process methodology certifications such as ITIL and ISO (both local and global) and are focused on delivering the right solutions to meet the needs of the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union.”
About Orange Business
Orange Business, the France Telecom-Orange branch dedicated to B2B services, is a leading global integrator of communications solutions for multinational corporations. With the world's largest, seamless network for voice and data, Orange Business reaches 220 countries and territories with local support in 166. Offering a comprehensive package of communication services covering cloud computing, enterprise mobility, M2M, security, unified communications, videoconferencing, and broadband, Orange Business delivers a best-in-class customer experience across a global landscape. Thousands of enterprise customers and 1.4 million mobile data users rely on an Orange Business international platform for communicating and conducting business. Orange Business is a four-time winner of Best Global Operator at the World Communication Awards. Learn more at www.orange-business.com
France Telecom-Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 45.3 billion euros for 2011 and has 170,000 employees worldwide at June 30, 2012. Orange is the Group's single brand for Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company operates. France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.
Press Contacts:
Mathilde Kimmerlin, Orange Business, mathilde.kimmerlin@orange.com, +33 1 55 53 63 54
Héloïse Rothenbühler, Orange, service.presse@orange.com, +33 1 44 44 93 93