Verizon Business Listed in Leading Industry Analyst Firm's Leaders' Quadrant for Asia/Pacific Network Service Providers 2006
HONG KONG and READING, England - Verizon Business has been placed in the Leaders quadrant among Asia-/Pacific network service providers by leading analyst firm Gartner Inc., in its new report, "Magic Quadrant for Asia/Pacific Network Service Providers, 2006i."
The latest Gartner Magic Quadrant evaluates network service providers that offer international telecommunications services to multinational corporations with pan-regional networks in the Asia/Pacific region. Only network service providers that can support pan-regional corporate networks are included and, ideally, they must provide connectivity to at least 12 major Asia/Pacific markets using their own backbone network infrastructure. In addition to data services, including managed network services, Gartner has also taken into account VoIP and IP telephony services, as well as value-added services such as hosting, application, IT and professional services.
According to Gartner, vendors placed in the Leaders' quadrant "demonstrate strong vision, especially in terms of defining future market needs. They back their vision by investing ahead of competitors, very often in new or unproven areas, and are generally well-positioned for the future. Significant differences exist between the lead players in terms of strategy and execution, and none excels in all areas. However, their long-term outcome is not clear as continued challenges in the industry may yet derail their plans."
Two key criteria were used in assessing companies for inclusion in the Gartner Magic Quadrant: completeness of vision and ability to execute. With regard to completeness of vision, Gartner looked at market understanding including business model, product, services, marketing, sales strategies and innovative services that meet enterprises' emerging and future needs. In terms of the ability to execute overall viability, customer experience, service quality, price competitiveness, local service and support capabilities, and managed communications and IT services were considered.
Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Business, said, "I am thrilled that Verizon Business is one of only two global providers positioned as a Leader in four of the key regional Network Service Provider Gartner Magic Quadrants in 2006i,ii,iii,iv. This is testament to our continued efforts throughout 2006 to respond to our global customers' needs, and develop focused, well supported solutions, to enable them to realise their business goals."
Darren Day, director marketing, Asia Pacific, for Verizon Business, said: "We believe that our positioning in the leaders quadrant of this latest Gartner Magic Quadrant speaks to our commitment to the Asia Pacific marketplace as well as reinforcing the strength of our global managed and professional networking services portfolio. Throughout 2006, we focused on consolidating and enhancing our existing product and network capabilities in the region, enabling us to develop innovative services and solutions to meet the needs of multinational customers based there. The expansion of our Ethernet services portfolio is one in a series of developments that reinforce our commitment to supporting APAC-based customers as they transition to an IP-based communications environment.
"As we move into 2007, we will continue to work to provide a high-quality global customer experience, whether in terms of network breadth, product and service availability, or customer-first service delivery," he continued. "We look forward to maintaining our leadership in the network service provider space, and helping our customers in Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world, realize business benefits through evolving IP services."
According to the Gartner report, "the market environment for network service providers supporting multinational corporations in Asia/Pacific has improved significantly. The severe price erosion in the past few years is finally slowing. Coupled with a big increase in wide area networking (WAN), revenues are growing again - albeit modestly. The result is a healthier service provider marketplace in 2006, which is important for continuity and consistency in service quality."
Verizon Business was also placed by Gartner in the Leaders' Quadrants for Pan-European Network Service Providers in October 2006ii, U.S. Managed and Professional Network Service Providers in July 2006iii, and Verizon Communications was placed in the U.S. Network Service Providers' Leaders' Quadrant in May 2006iv.
About the Magic Quadrant
The Magic Quadrant for Asia-Pacific Network Service Providers, 2006 is copyrighted January 15, 2007, by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com/.
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iGartner Research, "Magic Quadrant for Asia/Pacific Network Service Providers, 2006"; Author To Chee Eng; ID code G00145191
iiGartner Research "Magic Quadrant for Pan-European Network Service Providers, 2006", 2 Oct 2006; Authors Neil Rickard and Scott Morrison; ID code G00143215
iiiGartner Research "Magic Quadrant for U.S. Managed and Professional Network Service Providers, 1H06", July 10, 2006; Authors E. Goodness, D. Neil and D. Willis
ivGartner Research "Magic Quadrant for U.S. Network Service Providers, 1H06", May 11, 2006; Authors J. Pultz, D. Neil