BT Group and Verizon are combining their international enterprise operations into a new joint venture serving more than 3,000 multinational organisations across 180 countries, creating a next-generation connectivity platform designed for cloud, AI and increasingly complex global business operations.
BT and Verizon create global enterprise networking business
BT Group and Verizon have agreed to combine their international enterprise operations in a 50:50 joint venture, creating a new global connectivity provider focused on helping multinational organisations modernise their networks for the cloud and AI era.
The new business will serve more than 3,000 enterprise customers across over 180 countries, with approximately $4 billion in combined annual revenue, bringing together BT International and Verizon’s international enterprise wireline business.
The transaction is expected to complete during 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
Designed for cloud-first and AI-driven enterprises
The joint venture aims to create a more scalable international networking platform as organisations face growing demand for secure cloud connectivity, AI workloads and cross-border data services.
By combining their global network assets, operational expertise and enterprise customer bases, BT and Verizon say the new company will accelerate the rollout of next-generation networking platforms while helping customers address increasingly complex data sovereignty, security and regulatory requirements.
The business will operate independently while maintaining commercial relationships with both BT and Verizon, enabling customers to receive seamless connectivity across international, UK and US operations.
Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive of BT Group, said:
“The world’s leading brands and international organisations trust BT International to connect them across the world. Bringing together this expertise and heritage with Verizon’s deep relationships with multinationals will create a stronger, scaled connectivity partner—one that has the reach, innovation and investment to succeed. Customers will benefit from new, secure and resilient connectivity platforms, which are designed for the age of AI and sovereign where it matters. It will create new opportunities for our people and long-term value for our owners.”
Enterprise customers gain greater scale and resilience
The combined organisation is expected to deliver greater operational scale across international network infrastructure and service operations, while providing multinational organisations with more resilient global connectivity.
Martijn Blanken has been appointed Chief Executive Officer-designate of the new company, subject to completion of the transaction. Blanken brings almost three decades of leadership experience across telecommunications, digital infrastructure and networking businesses including Telstra, EXA Infrastructure and KPN.
Dan Schulman, CEO of Verizon, added:
“Our international customers require secure, flexible connectivity that works seamlessly across borders and cloud environments. When we thought about how to best support them, this joint venture was the clear answer: a cutting-edge, AI-ready and secure platform run by a single global organization dedicated to their needs. At the same time, our relationship with those customers will stay equally strong as we continue to directly provide them with the connectivity they need in the U.S.”
