Press release

ntl shows network support for London ExCeL

• £3m managed service contract with ExCeL, London’s Exhibition and Conference Centre
• Providing full communications solution across advanced IP and wireless LAN network
• Guaranteeing performance of 27kms of fibre and a 10,000 port IP telephony solution

26 October 2004 – ntl’s business division, a leading provider of business communications services, has secured a managed service contract to support the communications of ExCeL, London's Exhibition and Conference Centre. The deal is worth £3m over six years, and includes management and maintenance of the site’s advanced IP network. The new contract follows ntl’s successful installation of ExCeL’s entire communications infrastructure. The entire original contract was worth £5.1m and at the time the project was Europe’s largest single-site IP telephony solution.

As part of the new deal, ntl is providing a team of specialist engineers based on-site to deliver 24x7 support. The ntl engineers will work as part of the ExCeL In-Touch team (an in-house IT support function), ensuring the performance of the centre’s communications. ntl also provides off-site support for ExCeL’s communications, including 24 hour remote monitoring of 2Mb voice and 45Mb Internet circuits into the ntl core network.

The converged IP network implemented by ntl supports the voice, data, Internet and needs of the exhibition centre as well as the service companies and concession customers that support the Venue. In addition, the venue-wide infrastructure incorporates 107 wireless Access Points and a GSM cell for improved mobile coverage inside the building.

The stringent SLAs (Service Level Agreements) that cover the IP installation ensure the smooth running of the centre, which hosts some of the UK’s most high-profile events. For example, exhibitors can be connected and online within an hour of requesting communications support, via a fully resilient, high capacity internet connection of 45Mb, which is available to all ExCeL customers. As part of the ongoing managed service contract, ntl is responsible for both the installation and de-installation of all exhibitor comms.

Timo Bayford, Head of IT at ExCeL, commented, “Managing an enterprise on this scale is an enormous challenge and we need a partner that can guarantee the level of service that not only ExCeL, but also its customers require. ntl has proven its ability to support us through the initial network installation and subsequent configuration changes to meet customer demands. We are confident that it can continue to deliver above and beyond our requirements well into the future."

Tom Bennie, Managing Director, ntl’s business division, added, “Organisations are increasingly looking to external partners to manage their communications and ntl has a proven track record of supporting mission-critical systems for both the public and private sectors. We have a strong existing relationship with ExCeL and are delighted to continue working with them, delivering reliable, cost-effective and secure communications."

ExCeL, located at Royal Victoria Dock on a 100 acre site in London’s Docklands, a few minutes from London City Airport and Canary Wharf, comprises 65,000 sq m of exhibition halls, banqueting and conference suites, retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, apartments and excellent transport links.