BT has signed a contract with Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG to equip their new German headquarters in Frankfurt/Main with state-of-the-art telecommunications and networking technology.

BT has signed a contract with Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG to equip their new German headquarters in Frankfurt/Main with state-of-the-art telecommunications and networking technology.

By moving into its new, flagship building on Hanauer Landstrasse, Frankfurt’s so-called “Auto Mile”, Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG has consolidated two previously separate locations. In addition to administrative offices, the building also hosts training rooms as well as a showroom for the presentation of Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia automobiles.

BT was contracted to equip the new building with comprehensive, highly advanced telecommunication infrastructure. This includes the installation and operation of a Local Area Network (LAN). A separate telephone network is not required since the company uses a Siemens HiPath 8000 IP phone exchange (PBX), which allows the use of the data network also for voice communication. Moreover, the entire building is equipped with wireless network access (WiFi), which is especially useful in the training and conference rooms.

The project also includes the connection of the location to the MPLS Wide Area Network (WAN) that BT already operates for FIAT Group Automobiles Germany AG, the Internet access including firewall, and a high-speed link to the BT data center in Frankfurt where the IP PBX and the firewall are hosted with the highest possible resilience. Moreover, the mobile workers of FIAT Group Automobiles Germany AG will be equipped with BT MobileXpress so that they can easily and securely connect to the corporate network even while they are away from the office.

Stefan Hischer, Managing Director Sales of BT Germany, comments: “It is a great opportunity to equip brand-new corporate headquarters with advanced network and IT solutions from the very beginning. This allowed us to contribute to the concept from the start and, for example, benefit from the synergies that are derived from the use of IP telephony. We are happy that this contract allows us to further strengthen our position as a partner for the automotive industry."