O2 UK announces today that it has signed an exclusive UK agreement with Cybit Limited to provide 30,000 SIMs over 36 months, an extension of their partnership agreement. O2 and Cybit have been official partners for over six years. The agreement announced today could see significantly more SIMs added over the course of the agreement. Cybit, Europe’s leading internet-based telematics service provider, provides over 1,000 organisations with online solutions used to improve the management and control of nearly 25,000 fixed and mobile assets. Cybit’s solutions include vehicle tracking, mobile resource management, satellite navigation and lone worker solutions supported by comprehensive consultancy services. Ben Dowd, O2 UK’s general manager – business sales, said: “We are delighted Cybit has recognised O2’s expertise in the M2M market by making this commitment. O2 was the first mobile network in the UK to have a dedicated M2M team. Around 80% of our M2M partners are exclusive, demonstrating their confidence in O2’s ability to deliver.” Richard Horsman, Chief Executive Officer of Cybit plc said: “O2 is an important strategic partner for Cybit. A robust GSM/GPRS network is the vital link between the vehicle or data terminal, delivering live location and status information that drives our internet-based telematics solutions. This link provides our customers with an accurate and up-to-date view of their operations, which is essential for customers who need to react quickly to unplanned events. With O2’s support, we can give businesses the tools to improve the efficiency of their mobile resources, reduce operating costs and improve productivity.” The win comes as O2 launches its first two Centres of Excellence, each designed to support and collaborate with its partners in specialist areas of business. The M2M Centre of Excellence will be announced to channel partners on 31 January. The initial members of the M2M Centre of Excellence will include some of the most innovative M2M specialists in the UK, a testament to the growing significance of the M2M market. M2M Centre of Excellence partners will work collaboratively with O2 Direct Sales. Membership of the M2M Centre of Excellence gives partners benefits such as:

  • Guaranteed O2 marketing funding
  • Partner technical and sales training
  • Access to O2 Accelerator programme
  • Collaborative working with O2 Direct Sales
  • Marketing support
  • Recruitment support
  • Technical information support

The O2 Data Centre of Excellence was launched to partners on 18 January. It will create an exclusive group of top UK business partners working closely with O2 to develop mobile data expertise. Members will benefit from a range of benefits across key business functions, for example marketing, training, and recruitment of high-calibre data specialists. Ben Dowd commented: “We know that 50% of companies say that mobile is now driven by the same strategies that govern IT, and 55% fund it from the same budget. It’s essential to work with specialists in this field to ensure that we understand and meet our customers’ needs. Our channel partners know the data market, and O2 can deliver everything they need to get and keep business customers.” Affiniti and Alternative Networks are the first two partners to become members of the Data Centre of Excellence. Approximately four more are expected to join during the course of 2007. Ben Dowd added: “We are already seeing the results from our corporate business initiative begun in July last year. Our secondary data business has experienced explosive growth, increasing by over 300% in six months.” Since O2 announced its corporate strategy in July 2006, the Company has won a number of significant new accounts, including Essex Police (21 of the UK’s 43 police forces are O2 customers), Flamingo Holdings (via O2 partner Handheld) and Portsmouth Water (via O2 partner Interchange). The Data Centre of Excellence is also supported by RIM and Nokia. -ends-

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