Press Releases

Budapest, March 19, 2004 14:00

T-Systems, the information technology and telecommunications (ITC) service company serving Deutsche Telekom's major customers, and Matáv, Hungary's largest telecommunications company, today signed a contract whereby both companies will work together to deliver high-quality international network services to corporate customers in Hungary. The deal marks a deepening in the relationship between the two companies in the area of ICT services.

The contracted agreement enables Matáv to improve its international reach and portfolio in serving internationally active companies in Hungary, with minimum capital outlay. The timing of the cooperation coincides with major growth in the Hungarian market resulting from its imminent entry into the European Union.

T-Systems, in turn, will gain access to Hungarian companies that are currently expanding into other markets, with Western Europe being the obvious major goal for many firms. The ICT company's network coverage in Europe is second to none, enabling Hungarian enterprises to connect to their branch offices and partners throughout the world while delivering services that make their business more efficient and flexible.

Together, T-Systems in Hungary and Matav will work together to deliver voice and data solutions targeted specifically at the Hungarian market, thus opening up new business channels for both companies. The cooperation will also enable T-Systems to use Matáv's network infrastructure in Hungary to connect multinational companies which are expanding into the Hungarian market.

"Matáv is the perfect choice for a cooperation in Hungary, because it enables us to provide our mutual customers the best of all worlds: state-of-the-art ICT services and solutions, worldwide connectivity and competitive pricing," states Konrad F. Reiss, Member of the Deutsche Telekom Board of Management and CEO of T-Systems. "This is one example of our general strategy to develop long-term relationships to better serve our existing customer base and win new business."

"This cooperation with T-Systems is of strategic importance for Matáv, because, in addition to offering a wider range of services to the large company segment, we will also be able to leverage the opportunities of entering the international arena," emphasizes Elek Straub, Matáv Chairman and CEO. "This will improve our competitive position in international leased line services for business customers and widen our scope. It will also offer an excellent opportunity for the geographical roll-out of jointly provided services."

Joint venture planned

In addition to the network services agreement, T-Systems has initiated the establishment of a joint venture with Matáv whereby Matáv plans to acquire a minority share of T-Systems Hungary Kft. The other elements of the cooperation include the development of a joint strategy for covering the Hungarian market, the outsourcing of certain areas of Matáv"s IT operations to T-Systems, and international-level cooperation in the region between T-Systems and Matáv"s international carrier services divisions.

About T-Systems

T-Systems is one of Europe's leading providers of information and communications technology (ICT). Within the Deutsche Telekom group, T-Systems is responsible for serving major business accounts. The company has some 41,000 staff on its payrolls in more than 20 countries. In 2003, the solutions provider generated €10.6 billion in sales.
T-Systems' solutions improve the business competitiveness of its customers in the industry sectors telecommunications, services and finance, public and healthcare as well as manufacturing. The company optimizes processes and cuts costs for its customers, thus providing them additional flexibility for their core business. T-Systems makes targeted use of industry expertise and cutting-edge technology. Its services range from the integration of new ICT solutions into existing customer systems, through the implementation and operation of desktop systems, data centers and networks, all the way to telecommunications services and solutions for international carriers.
T-Systems' services encompass all levels of the information and communications technology value chain, spanning from ICT infrastructure and ICT solutions, up to and including business process management.
For more information about the company and its services, see www.t-systems.com.