TalkTalk Enterprise opens second UK business in London to deliver tailored telecoms solutions to small to medium companies

UK businesses offered true telecoms value

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3rd September, 2007

GUILDFORD, UK – TalkTalk Enterprise, from communications retailer The Carphone Warehouse, is continuing to revolutionise the way small businesses buy telecoms solutions, with the opening of its second UK store today. The new North London based office will give businesses access to free consultancy from internal and external telecommunication experts and will enable them to lease or purchase tailored, cost effective telecoms solutions from industry leaders such as Avaya.

The TalkTalk initiative specifically aims to support Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs) navigate through different technologies, extensive product ranges and confusing terminology, to find the right products for their communications needs. TalkTalk Enterprise will supply products from three independent vendors, including telephone PBX Systems and solutions for business calls, broadband and mobile services. Importantly for the SMB sector where companies have limited funds for business infrastructure, products will be available for lease as well as purchase, giving small companies and start-ups earlier access to leading-edge communications systems.

Following on the success of the first Warrington based TalkTalk Enterprise initiative Jane Anderson, managing director, TalkTalk Enterprise, North West commented “We view our clients as time and resource precious people often without telecoms knowledge and with a need for a consultative approach who wish to buy locally but also require the security of buying from a trusted brand! The kind of clients that buy Avaya Quick Edition are looking for a simple, flexible phone system offering a mix of classic and new IP features providing a perfect platform for growth”

“The market is ‘ripe’ for TalkTalk Enterprise new approach which provides small businesses with a ‘one stop shop’ for all their telecommunication needs!” concluded Anderson.

As a global leader in business communications solutions, Avaya is a key technology partner for TalkTalk Enterprise. Customers can take advantage of Avaya’s comprehensive range of SMB specific ‘all-in-one solutions’, such as Avaya’s Quick Edition; a cost effective, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) peer to peer telephony solution, which is flexible and easy to use, ideally designed for business with less than 20 users. When the Avaya Quick Edition IP phones are plugged into the local area network, they automatically “discover” each other. In minimal time, users have access to commonly used telephony applications, including voice mail, conferencing and auto attendant.

Over *97% of companies in the United Kingdom have less than 20 employees and 500,000 people start up a new business each year” said Graham Bunting, director, SMB, UK and Ireland, Avaya “That is why we work closely with BusinessPartners who understand and provide first class support and service to this market place. Nevertheless to further reach out to small businesses and be accessible to a broader range of customers we are also working with innovative players such as TalkTalk Enterprise” added Bunting.

“We recognise SMBs have a wide choice today and working with a partner like TalkTalk Enterprise gives us the flexibility to deliver optimised SMB solutions to all customers however they choose to buy”, concluded Bunting.

Within the TalkTalk Enterprise channel experienced sales consultants will manage each customer’s requirements step-by-step, gaining a full understanding of the business opportunity and functionality of the current telephone system and advising on the most cost effective infrastructure, with a local touch. The first business which opened in Warrington in November 2006 is already enjoying steady success.

* Federation of Small Businesses, www.fsb.org.uk, 31 August 2007.

About TalkTalk Enterprise
TalkTalk Enterprise is a division of The Carphone Warehouse Group plc, Europe’s leading independent communications retailer.TalkTalk Enterprise has been created to provide a complete telecoms service for businesses that desire a local approach. TalkTalk Enterprise Business Partners will be strategically placed around the country to provide a regional coverage targeting local businesses with 10 to 99 employee’s bracket.
As a division of the Carphone Warehouse, customers can be assured of cost effective business telecoms, and a high level of customer service, backed by a solid network infrastructure that serves over 3.5 million subscribers and has been supporting business customers for over 11 years.

It is the belief at TalkTalk Enterprise that good customer contact starts from a solid communications platform, that is why we offer industry leading telephone systems, then bundle in the peripheral telecoms services such as call routing, line rental, mobile and broadband services all provided on one monthly bill for a better customer experience. For more information visit the TalkTalk Enterprise web site: www.talktalkenterprise.co.uk

About Avaya
Avaya delivers Intelligent Communications solutions that help companies transform their businesses to achieve marketplace advantage. More than 1 million businesses worldwide, including more than 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®, use Avaya solutions for IP Telephony, Unified Communications, Contact Centers and Communications-Enabled Business Processes. Avaya Global Services provides comprehensive service and support for companies, small to large. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: www.avaya.co.uk