MUMBAI: Global new world communications provider, Tata Communications, has become the second Tata Group company to be associated with Formula One as it Thursday inked a multi-year technology service and marketing agreement with Formula One Management, the organiser of F1 races.
The agreement will see Tata Communications delivering world-class connectivity to all 20 Formula 1 race locations over its global network, the largest in the world. It will also provide hosting and content delivery services to Formula1.com, which is accessed by tens of millions of fans around the globe.
The deal positions Tata Communications as ‘A Technology Supplier of Formula 1‘ with category exclusive designations as ‘Official Connectivity Provider of Formula 1‘ and ‘Official Web Hosting and Content Delivery Network Provider of Formula1.com.‘.
Formula One group businesses and race locations will now be connected to the Tata Global Network ("TGN"), supported by secure MPLS connectivity. Formula One Management‘s IT infrastructure and Formula1.com will be co-located and hosted in Tata Communications‘ world-class data centres.
Tata Communications MD and CEO Vinod Kumar says, "Formula 1 requires fast and secure connectivity, because even a split second of downtime can have huge repercussions for its business, brand and reputation. This delivery is at the heart of our organisation and working with one of the world‘s most highly technical and innovative organisations is an exciting opportunity for Tata Communications. The collaboration leverages our technology leadership and vision for emerging markets and represents a tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation for both companies."
Formula One group CEO Bernie Ecclestone said, "I‘m pleased to welcome Tata Communications into the Formula 1 family and I hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship. Connectivity and content delivery are critical issues for Formula 1 and working with the best in the business is a priority for us. This is a collaboration that will help us stay at the technological cutting edge in these categories."
Tata Communications will also provide Formula1.com with a new Managed Security Suite and will apply an additional layer of managed security monitoring to ensure an increased level of protection to Formula One Management‘s IT infrastructure.
Furthermore, Tata Communications and Formula One Management will work in close collaboration on research and development around connectivity and the latest video technologies.
In 2008, blue chip IT major TCS had signed a technology and marketing partnership deal with Ferrari, building on its earlier long-term partnership that began in 2005.
