Tata Communications ushers in new era of Internet to drive hybrid cloud adoption

Business Wire via ITWeb,

London, 29 Oct 2014

Tata Communications, a leading provider of A New World of Communications, today launches IZO, a global network platform for enhanced hybrid cloud enablement. A game changing new network platform - IZO brings a new way of tackling the complications and challenges that businesses face in realising the potential of the cloud. For the first time, a single provider offers access to a full ecosystem of network, cloud and data centre connectivity, making it simple for a business to connect and build its cloud, their way - be it private, hybrid or public.

The IZO network platform takes the public Internet and uniquely engineers it for predictable routing, together with enterprise cloud connectivity and interconnected data centres. Bringing together a growing ecosystem of over 20 service providers reaching 85% of the world's GDP, two of the largest cloud platforms - Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure - and over 50 data centres across the globe, the IZO network delivers the most comprehensive cloud enablement platform available today.

The platform comprises IZO Internet WAN, IZO Private and IZO Public - each of which tackles a significant issue faced by enterprises managing cloud solutions.

A first of its kind, IZO Internet WAN brings the security, flexibility and predictability of a private network to the public Internet - with the global reach of the Internet. Through partnerships with 20 service providers around the world, IZO Internet WAN provides multi-national organisations deterministic routing of traffic with guaranteed end-to-end SLAs and business standard reporting. Multi-national businesses will now experience faster deployment times, whilst reducing their total cost of ownership by up to 30%, fostering more secure ways to capitalise on the cloud evolution.

IZO Private connects businesses to cloud service providers via private network connectivity. Through a global partnered interconnect arrangement under the AWS Direct Connect programme with Amazon Web Services and Azure ExpressRoute program with Microsoft, companies now have access to a one-stop-shop for end-to-end management to ensure network performance and end-user experience.

Vinod Kumar, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Communications, says: "We're taking the necessary steps towards making the Internet Fit For Business by bringing a new level of predictability and reliability to the public Internet that does not exist today. This isn't something we can do alone and we're joined in this initiative to bring about a new era of Internet by some of the world's leading ISP and cloud providers as we collaborate to achieve a common goal. Cloud, in every form, continues to transform the way businesses operate, innovate and generate revenue. Our role is to make sure that we're delivering a network that supports and enhances everybody's network cloud."

The third element of the platform is IZO Public which tags and prioritises content with guaranteed performance for Tata Communications enterprise customers. For businesses looking to deliver large volumes of content over the Internet, this service provides unparalleled performance, reach, and capacity ensuring a consistently good user experience.

Melanie Posey, Research Vice President at IDC, says: "The cloud is the new IT architecture for the next-generation enterprise. However, next-generation network architectures that are similarly dynamic and scalable have been slow to emerge. Neither enterprise WANs (expensive, static, and complex) nor the public Internet ("best-efforts" reliability, performance, and security) provide the right mix of scalability, rapid deployment capabilities, and multi-carrier reach required for secure, enterprise-grade connectivity to an ever expanding array of cloud-based IT and application resources. Tata Communications' IZO enterprise WAN and cloud enablement platform leverages its extensive global network and the reach of its partner ecosystem to enable global organisations to harness the cloud - be it private, hybrid or public."

The IZO network platform gives multi-national organisations the freedom to choose a cloud environment suited to their requirements with a platform backed by Tata Communications' leading global network and global partnerships. Today, over 24% of the world's Internet routes travel over Tata Communications' network and the company is the only Tier-1 provider that is in the top five by routes in five continents.

Watch this space for further news on key industry players that are joining Tata Communications to make IZO a global phenomenon in the new Internet era.

For more information: www.tatacommunications.com/izo
IZO twitter hashtag: #networkcloud and #yourIZO
IZO Internet WAN: launch partner quotes

Supporting quotes

Maciej Krzyzanowski, CEO of ATM SA
"Businesses are adopting cloud applications and platforms faster than ever before which makes the Internet a critical building-block of IT (WAN) architecture. ATMAN, the operator of fibre network in Poland and leader of the Polish data centre market, is proud to be a part of the Tata Communications' global initiative to make the Internet more predictable - delivering better quality of service to businesses."

Richard Fung, CEO, China Broadband Communications
"Industry experts predict that the majority of all new applications will be delivered via the cloud in the next few years. As enterprises accelerate cloud adoption in-line with this growth, having a network that is secure, flexible and predictable for the hybrid cloud becomes a critical success factor for businesses. CBCcom is committed to working together with Tata Communications to deliver business-class SLAs over the public Internet for multi-national organisations - making the global Internet more fit for this business purpose."

Sui-lun Lo, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Owner, Hong Kong Broadband Network
"IZO Internet WAN is set to provide the next level of Internet solutions with high stability, performance and determinist routing to deliver end-to-end business grade SLAs and high-performance connections. As an eco-system partner of this ground-breaking global service, HKBN, with ongoing expansions to our fibre network infrastructure and core network switching platform, continues to follow our commitment of being at the forefront of communications technologies. We are proud to work with Tata Communications, who is taking big strides in making the Internet usable for enterprise WANs and our multi-national business customers."

Murray Goodman, Head of Product, Kordia
"Our relationship with Tata Communications fits Kordia's best-connected network service philosophy. The provision of a well-managed and high-performance network is key to the enablement of cloud services. We're excited to partner with Tata Communications to provide a market-leading platform that helps enterprises meet their needs."

Ted Higase, KVH President and Chief Executive Officer, KVH.
"Enterprises around the world continue to make significant investments toward cloud adoption and we understand that cloud connectivity is soon expected to be the most important feature in today's hyper-connected world. As the needs of enterprises are evolving, enterprise networks are becoming more complex with trends like BYOD, enterprise mobility, remote connectivity, and migration to the cloud. We expect the Internet to be a key building block in our networks. KVH is keen to work with Tata Communications on this journey to cloud adoption."

Mateo Ward, CEO, Neutrona Networks International
"Businesses today are moving forward with cloud deployments at a rapid rate. In order for these cloud deployments to be successful, the right network infrastructure that enables cloud services over both private and public Internet will be critical, especially due to the adoption of the hybrid cloud. Neutrona shares the same vision as Tata Communications in making the global public Internet more fit for this business purpose by adding enterprise-grade security, flexibility and predictability to its Internet services."

Manuel Eanes, Executive Board Member, NOS Comunicac~oes, SA
"The Internet has become the fastest growing WAN network in the world over the last decade. Analysts believe that the growth trend will continue and this has changed the way enterprises carry out their business. It becomes the major network component embraced by enterprises, especially for the hybrid cloud deployment. NOS is thrilled to be one of Tata Communications' strategic partners to enable an Internet that is fit for business."

Nico Alcoseba, Corporate Business Solutions Head, PLDT
"Industry analysts foresee that by the end of 2017, nearly half of large enterprises will have hybrid cloud deployments and a state-of-the-art platform is key to the success of this type of cloud implementation. PLDT is pleased to partner with Tata Communications to provide a market-leading platform that helps enterprises to meet their business needs."

Alexander Rusli, President Director and CEO, PT Indosat TbK
"Global IP traffic has increased more than fivefold in the past five years, and market forecasts indicate that this will further increase threefold over the next five years with enterprise adoption of hybrid cloud. The right network connectivity is at the heart of supporting this trend - one that provides the security, flexibility and predictability of a private network to the public network. Indosat joins forces with Tata Communications in this global initiative that will boost performance and improve the quality of service in global Internet for enterprises around the world."

Sylvain Roy, Senior Vice-President, Wholesale at Rogers Communications
"We are thrilled to be working with Tata Communications to address the connectivity needs of multi-national businesses in the Canadian market. The IZO platform will allow global businesses to operate smoothly and exchange data securely in their Canadian locations and we look forward to developing our relationship with Tata Communications to benefit our Canadian business customers."

Benjamin Tan, VP International Business, StarHub
"Enterprise adoption of cloud and the use of dedicated business Internet access has been on the rise in the past few years. These trends are here to stay and rapid growth is expected in the coming years. In Singapore, StarHub operates an extensive fixed business network that provides a wide range of data, voice and wholesale services to serve businesses of any size. We are pleased to partner with Tata Communications to address opportunities emerging from these ICT trends."

Charles Bligh, Managing Director, TalkTalk Business
"Today the key pointers in the global ICT landscape are the need for elastic bandwidths, cost-effective secure access, superior application experiences, remote workforces and more. All of which point to the need for rapid cloud adoption. IZO Internet WAN is a game-changing deployment of a global Internet-based WAN service that gives businesses the flexibility and predictability of a private network, with the global reach of the Internet - an enabler for businesses to stay competitive. TalkTalk is delighted to be the first UK connectivity supplier to Tata Communications for this service."

Phung Van Cuong, Deputy General Director, Viettel
"Emerging markets play an important role in global connectivity solutions. With the rapid growth of the Internet and hybrid cloud strategies being deployed globally, it is imperative that the Internet's strengths are leveraged to scale enterprise connectivity requirements and cloud access. Viettel sees Tata Communications' initiative as the right direction to bring the industry together to address the needs of enterprises with its IZO platform."

Tata Communications

Tata Communications (CIN no: L64200MH1986PLC039266), along with its subsidiaries (Tata Communications) is a leading global provider of A New World of Communications. With a leadership position in emerging markets, Tata Communications leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers.

The Tata Communications global network includes one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks and a Tier-1 IP network with connectivity to more than 240 countries and territories across 400 POPs, as well as nearly one million square feet of data centre and collocation space worldwide.

Tata Communications' depth and breadth of reach in emerging markets includes leadership in Indian enterprise data services and leadership in global international voice.

Tata Communications is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India.http://www.tatacommunications.com

ATM SA

ATM SA is a Polish public company (WSE: ATM) providing innovative ICT solutions for business since 1991. Under the brands of ATMAN and Thinx Poland the company offers telecommunications services based on its own fiber networks and three data centers in Poland, with 10 600 square metres (ca. 114,100 sq feet) of state-of-the-art colocation space.

Key elements of ATM's offer include: colocation and hosting, broadband data transmission and Internet access. In particular, carriers, Internet portals, traditional media and financial institutions may be found among the receivers of ATM services.

The company is the only Polish operator present in all four of Europe's largest interconnect nodes: AMS-IX Amsterdam, DE-CIX Frankfurt, LINX London and MSK-IX Moscow. More information at www.atman.pl and www.thinx.pl.

China Broadband Communications (CBCcom)

China Broadband Communications (CBCcom) is established with the mission to be the leader of ICT service providers in China. CBCcom provides high-quality telecom end-to-end solutions, integrated IT services and cloud computing IAAS, PAAS, SAAS services to support customers to optimise network infrastructure and management ability, thereby to improve the efficiency of IT investment and enhance an enterprise's core competitiveness. Based on high-quality products and excellent service, CBCcom provides comprehensive solutions to all types of users to satisfy the business enterprise's high-end information service needs.

Hong Kong Broadband Network

Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited ("HKBN") is the leading provider of residential symmetric 100Mbps and above broadband services in Hong Kong with a core purpose to "Make Our Hong Kong a Better Place to Live". HKBN offers an array of world-class enterprise solutions, carrier services, as well as a diversified portfolio of innovative residential broadband and WiFi access, communication and entertainment services to over 1.4 million subscribers. HKBN takes great pride in developing its 2 500-strong talent force into a competitive advantage. In May 2012, the company underwent a management buy-out and is now majority-owned by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners and 87 HKBN managers.

Kordia

Kordia is a highly focused, New Zealand specialist telecommunications and media business with the strength and security of being a State Owned Enterprise (SOE). It has been driving business, delivering innovative and super-reliable enterprise-grade broadcast, telecommunications and specialised networks for over 60 years.

KVH Co. Ltd.

KVH is an Asia Pacific IT services and data centre services provider established in Japan. KVH's Information Delivery Platform delivers integrated cloud and network solutions and best-in-class service to its customers. KVH owns infrastructure and provides services that enable clients to store, process, protect and deliver their vital business information. KVH provides IT services, cloud services, data center services, managed network services, and professional services.

KVH operates the lowest latency network in Japan, and with over 500 financial services customers, is the leading provider of ultra low-latency network and proximity hosting solutions to the high-frequency trading community in Tokyo and Osaka. KVH also offers low-latency connectivity services between major financial markets in the Asia/Pacific region and the US, including Tokyo, Chicago, Aurora, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul/Busan, and Sydney. More information on KVH can be found at www.kvhasia.com.

Neutrona Networks International

Neutrona Networks is a neutral and independent Latin American Carrier with more than 15 years of experience in the industry to deliver advanced data networking solutions to international carriers in a one-stop-shop experience. Neutrona's direct presence in 15 countries and extensive network partnerships cover any location at any city in central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond.

Neutrona is the only Latin American network to run on multiple sub-sea cable systems and terrestrial fibre rings combined with extensive network interconnections with most local access networks in the region. The company follows a carrier partner philosophy dedicated to a seamless and integrated experience.

You get access to a full suite of solutions that closely align with the same technologies your customers demand ? MPLS, Ethernet private line, colocation, logistics, and professional services.

NOS Comunicac~oes, SA

NOS Comunicac~oes, SA is the biggest communications and entertainment group in Portugal, leading in pay TV, next-generation broadband services and cinema exhibition and distribution.

NOS offers its customers latest generation television, the fastest Internet, unlimited telephone and mobile phone for everyone, as well as including a 4G network, covering more than 90% of the Portuguese population, and free Internet at more than 600 000 hotspots in Portugal and 12 million across the world.

NOS also operates more than 200 cinemas in Portugal, and for those who prefer to stay at home, NOS has the biggest video club in the country with more than 19 000 films, drama series, cartoons and documentaries.

PLDT

PLDT is the leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines. Through its principal business groups - fixed-line, wireless and others - PLDT offers a wide range of telecommunications services across the Philippines' most extensive fibre optic backbone and fixed line and cellular networks.

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI). PLDT has one of the largest market capitalisations among Philippine-listed companies. Visit www.pldt.com.ph for more information.

PT Indosat

Indosat is the leading telecommunication and information operator in Indonesia that provides cellular services, fixed line, data communications and Internet (MIDI). In the first half of 2014, the company has 54.9 million mobile subscribers through a variety of brands, among others: IM3, Mentari and Matrix. Indosat operates international direct dialling (IDD) through the access codes 001, 008 and Flatcall 01016. The company also offers corporate and SME solutions, namely Indosat Business that is supported by integrated telecommunications network throughout Indonesia as well as satellite services via satellite Palapa-C2 and Palapa-D. Indosat also has a very broad digital services program, including a dedicated digital services unit (www.indosat.com/digital), Indonesia's first innovation competition IWIC, and Indonesia's leading startup incubator Ideabox (www.ideabox.co.id). Indosat is a subsidiary of the Ooredoo Group. Indosat's shares are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: ISAT).

Rogers Communications

Rogers Communications is a leading diversified public Canadian communications and media company. It is Canada's largest provider of wireless communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit rogers.com.

StarHub.

StarHub is Singapore's fully-integrated info-communications company, offering a full range of information, communications and entertainment services for both consumer and corporate markets. StarHub operates a mobile network that provides 4G, 3G and 2G services. It also manages an island-wide HFC network that delivers multi-channel pay TV services (including HDTV, Internet TV and on-demand services) as well as ultra-high speed residential broadband services. StarHub operates an extensive fixed business network that provides a wide range of data, voice and wholesale services. Over Singapore's fibre-based Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network, StarHub offers a broad range of home and business broadband plans along with a host of advanced media-rich value-added services, such as IPTV for commercial entities.

Launched in 2000, StarHub has become one of Singapore's most innovative info-communications providers, and the pioneer in 'hubbing' - the ability to deliver unique integrated and converged services to all its customers. StarHub, listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange since October 2004, is a component stock of the Straits Times Index and the MSCI Singapore Free Index.

TalkTalk Business

TalkTalk Business provides communications solutions to UK organisations, serving the needs of over 180 000 business and public sector customers and working with over 350 wholesale partners nationwide.

The company has been dedicated to serving the needs of its customers across the UK since 1993.

TalkTalk Business provides a full range of communications products including one of the best data networks in the UK (Ethernet, EFM, fibre to the cabinet and broadband across 3 000+ exchanges, making it the largest Ethernet network in the UK), next-generation voice products (VOIP), hosted voice and legacy voice products for channel partners and direct customers.

Following an investment of over lb600M, TalkTalk Business has designed, built and now operates Britain's biggest Next Generation Network, with 94.5% coverage across the UK, for broadband and voice.

Viettel Group

Viettel Group is listed to be among the top 100 most valuable mobile telecoms brands of the world. The past 25 years witnessed the impressive growth of Viettel to step out to the world, starting up from an unknown company to a multi-national group with its presence in 10 countries across three continents in the world. In Vietnam, Viettel is a leading Telecom Group with its subscriber number of 68 million and turnover of USD8 billion. It is the first enterprise to break the monopoly in Vietnam's telecom sector which popularised the telephone services to the rural areas across Vietnam.

Viettel Group was honoured with the Best Service Provider in Emerging Markets and the Best Operator in a Developing Market in 2009, 2010, 2012.

With its strong infrastructure in Vietnam as well as in countries where Viettel has its presence, Viettel commits to offering the best tailored telecom solutions to enterprises through its long-built business philosophy which serves each customer as an individual. Viettel desires to positively contribute to the sustainable development of enterprises worldwide.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

Certain words and statements in this release concerning Tata Communications and its prospects, and other statements, including those relating to Tata Communications' expected financial position, business strategy, the future development of Tata Communications' operations, and the general economy in India, are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including financial, regulatory and environmental, as well as those relating to industry growth and trend projections, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tata Communications, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to increase the volume of traffic on Tata Communications' network; failure to develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; failure to successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; failure to stabilise or reduce the rate of price compression on certain of the company's communications services; failure to integrate strategic acquisitions and changes in government policies or regulations of India and, in particular, changes relating to the administration of Tata Communications' industry; and, in general, the economic, business and credit conditions in India. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, many of which are not in Tata Communications' control, include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Tata Communications' various filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Tata Communications is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements.

@tata_comm | http://tatacommunications-newworld.com | www.youtube.com/tatacomms

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Hill & Knowlton Strategies
Paul Crouch
+44 (0)20 74133713
Paul.Crouch@hkstrategies.com

+44 (0)7833 043 779natalie.chak@tatacommunications.com