SFR, Verizon Team Up to Serve French-Based Multinationals

PARIS, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SFR Business Team, a leading French provider of enterprise communications services, and Verizon, a leading provider of global communications and IT solutions, today announced an agreement under which the companies will provide global telecommunications solutions and support to multinational companies based or operating in France.

The preferred partnership calls for Verizon to provide global communication services, with SFR delivering the in-country network and information and communications technology elements of these services. SFR will likewise rely on Verizon to deliver global connectivity to its customers. The agreement initially covers the joint delivery of MPLS-based virtual private network services.

Employees from both organizations will team to most effectively meet individual customers' needs for integrated communications and IT solutions through a single common interface. Customers will benefit from an enhanced experience, with a streamlined service -- including integrated networks, convergent services, optimized processes and comprehensive customer services -- offered worldwide.

Verizon is recognized as an expert in the delivery of global Internet protocol-based enterprise mobility, cloud and IT, strategic networking and advanced communications solutions. SFR is an acknowledged leader in the delivery of enterprise fixed and mobile telecommunications convergent and cloud services in France and offers extensive local and regional reach, close working relationships and customer knowledge. This partnership is part of the Network Team Alliance created by SFR.

Pierre Barnabe, executive vice president SFR Business Team, said: "By favoring a flexible model of cooperation, SFR and Verizon share the same approach: to offer customers the best alliance for their communications. This multinational approach brings simplicity, economy and performance to companies, wherever they are."

Rich Montgomery, Verizon Enterprise Solutions' EMEA area vice president for strategy and business development, said: "France is the home of a high proportion of well-known global brands, many of which are reliant on communications technologies to support their regional and global business success. To ensure operational integrity across dispersed global sites, these corporations have exceptionally high expectations of both their in-country and global communications infrastructure. This alliance is all about helping our joint customers ensure operational integrity and, with dispersed global sites, to more effectively serve their own customers. We will be able to combine Verizon's and SFR's operational strengths to better serve customers' needs."

The agreement is effective immediately. Photography is available on request.

About SFR Business Team
SFR Business Team is one of the leading French providers of fixed and mobile enterprise communications services, today serving over 165,000 clients, ranging from SMEs to multinational corporations. The company brings its high-capacity infrastructure, six datacentres and recognized expertise in IP solutions to bear in offering its customers a better data experience and a comprehensive range of voice, data, Internet, M2M, data hosting and cloud solutions. SFR works working with over 300 global partners, including Vodafone and Verizon. For more information, visit www.sfrbusinessteam.fr.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with 93 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 192,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Verizon