Equant

Synopsis

Equant is a result of the merger of Equant and Global One in June 2001, and provides global IP and data services for multinational businesses. At the time of merging, it operated what it claims to be the world’s largest seamless data network. It connects major business centres in 220 countries and territories, with local support in 165 countries. It served approximately 3,700 large business customers – including two-thirds of the world’s top 100 companies. For the first two years after the merger, the company showed double digit growth, but this slowed considerably in 2003. This was due to falling demand from major customers, particularly SITA. The company has been running at a loss since 2000 and, as a result, France Telecom indicated in January 2005 that it had started proceedings to provide additional funding and to take full ownership. This report was archived during 2004.