IBM and Bharti Airtel to Transform Mobile Communications in Africa Through Sweeping 10-Year Collaboration

WHAT:

Today in Nairobi at 9:00 a.m. EAT / 2:00 a.m. EDT, IBM Chairman and CEO Samuel J. Palmisano and Bharti Airtel Chairman and Managing Director, Sunil Mittal, participated in a joint press conference to announce an agreement in principle that will accelerate the transformation of mobile communications and speed economic development across the African Continent.

(See press release @ http://www.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/32505.wss)

Under the terms of the sweeping 10-year collaboration, IBM (NYSE: IBM) will manage the computing technology and services that power Bharti Airtel's 16-country mobile communications network.

WHY:

On a continent where mobile communications forms the backbone for commerce, and the World Bank estimates that 77 percent of Africans do not have access to traditional financial services, lowering the barrier to entry for owning mobile devices can drive significant economic gain. In fact, every 10 percent jump in mobile penetration is estimated to drive a 1.2 percent gain in gross domestic product (GDP).*

This far-reaching agreement has the potential to:

• Transform telecommunications in Africa

• Build a capability to provide world-class services and offerings to companies who operate across Africa

• Radically jumpstart IBM's growth efforts in Africa

WHO:

Bruno Di Leo, General Manager, Growth Markets, IBM

Dr. Jai Menon, Chief Technology & Information Officer, Bharti Airtel International

WHEN:

SEPTEMBER  17, 2010 (11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET)

(USA) (866) 254-5936    

(International) (651) 291-3820

Access Code: 171739

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