BT aims $2 bn revenue by 2011 from APAC region

Global Communications Service provider British Telecom (BT) is aiming to earn two billion dollar revenue from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including India, by 2011, a key executive said today.

"Our growth through 2011 from this region is likely to be $2 billion... We have growth in some of our western markets in excess of billion dollar... (see) further growth coming out of Asia-Pacific and particularly India and Indian BPOs addressing countries like Brazil, Russia and China and other economies...," Matt Ross, Chief Technology Officer, BT said here at the World Economic Forum's India episode.

"So we are helping Indian companies operating globally and MNCs operating in India, where the growth lies," he said.

The firm, which announced 10,000 job cuts last week plans to hire in APAC region.

"While the hiring has definitely decelerated, given the current market we will continue to add skill sets in the... new IT web-based services, security,"he said, adding, hiring would continue but would be decelerate.

Ross, however, declined to share India specific hiring figures.

Ross also clarified that the retrenchment would not affect India operations, which employ over 20,000 people directly and indirectly.

The job cuts were announced after its pre-tax profits slumped by 11 per cent in the first six months of the current year. This is all about BT reducing its reliance on third party contractors.

BT reported a 4 per cent increase in its global revenue at 5,303 million pounds in the second quarter this year. Indian market for BT has grown by 39 per cent in terms of revenue over 2007.