The FINANCIAL — Oil, gas and chemical conglomerate TOTAL signed a contract with ICT provider T-Systems, under which the company provides TOTAL with a variety of satellite-based communication services worldwide.
The French company has production plants, refineries and filling stations in more than 130 countries, and produces oil and gas in some 30.
The latest contract comprises the configuration and operation of a satellite-based communication system for TOTAL's Exploration and Production division as well as its Refining and Marketing divisions. T-Systems' remit covers the so-called VSAT (very small aperture terminal) infrastructure that consists of satellite receivers and transmitters with antennas. This includes providing round-the-clock service, which also covers on-site repairs to the equipment. The contract applies to all continents and includes more than 40 locations.
TOTAL, which is the fifth-largest producer of oil and gas worldwide, operates a number of computer centers and has networked all its locations around the world. As many of its locations are quite remote, they are not served by traditional communication infrastructure such as fixed or wireless networks. In these regions, TOTAL must rely on satellites to handle voice and data communication between the main regional offices and the company's headquarters in Paris.
The particular challenge facing TOTAL is to ensure that, despite adverse conditions, these connections function in as stable and secure a manner as a fixed network. Under the concluded agreement on the provision of satellite-based communication services, T-Systems has lowered costs, further enhanced quality of TOTAL’s service and harmonized the existing networks.
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