As Official Communications Services Partner, BT will be responsible for providing all communications services to LOCOG which are required to stage the Games. At Games-time, they will also be responsible for providing all communications services to the operational workforce and at venues. In addition, BT will receive exclusive marketing rights and usage rights to the London 2012 logo within their sector.
BT also becomes London 2012’s second Sustainability Partner and will work with LOCOG to help stage a sustainable Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. BT will use the Games as a platform to discuss and drive the sustainability agenda.
Technology and communication at Games time will be huge logistical operations and BT will be providing the secure, resilient and robust networks required for supporting the communications activities of LOCOG, the Games Bodies and other technology partners. This will include the provision and management of voice and data networks, plus all the internet access and land lines required across London 2012 venues and facilities. In addition, they will meet the individual communications requirements of the athletes, National Olympic Committees and media, who will be able to purchase packages at pre-agreed prices.
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe welcomed the announcement. “We have a wonderful opportunity to stage a ‘Digital Games’ in 2012 and BT will be integral in helping us do that. Technology and communication is going to be a vast operation, starting now and taking us all the way through to Games-time. We needed a partner we could absolutely trust to work with us on this journey, one who could provide the technical know-how and creatively explore solutions and opportunities to ensure our Games are the very best they can be. BT gives us this and I’m thrilled a company of such heritage is joining us.”
Mike Rake, BT chairman, said: "BT is proud and delighted to provide the communications that will bring the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to so many people. BT has supported London's bid to host the Games from the start, and the whole company is looking forward to working with LOCOG to ensure that 2012 is a fantastic success".
London 2012 now has five Tier One Partners and one Tier Two Supporter as it heads towards its £2bn budget for staging the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012.