Tata announces F1 communications deal

Indian company Tata Communications, part of the Tata Group, has announced a multi-year technology service and marketing agreement with Formula One Management (FOM). The agreement will see Tata Communications deliver connectivity to the 20 F1 venues around the world, while providing hosting and content delivery services to Formula1.com, F1’s official website.

This means that Tata Communications will earn the designations of ‘Official Connectivity Provider of Formula 1’ and ‘Official Web Hosting and Content Delivery Network of Formula1.com.’

Formula One group businesses and race venues will now be connected to the Tata Global Network ("TGN"), supported by secure MPLS connectivity. Formula One Management's IT infrastructure and Formula1.com will be co-located and hosted in Tata Communications' world-class data centres.

Vinod Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Communications, says, "Formula 1 requires fast and secure connectivity, because even a split second of downtime can have huge repercussions for its business, brand and reputation.”

“This delivery is at the heart of our organisation and working with one of the world's most highly technical and innovative organisations is an exciting opportunity for Tata Communications. The collaboration leverages our technology leadership and vision for emerging markets and represents a tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation for both companies."

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One group, welcomed Tata Communications to F1,  saying -  “Connectivity and content delivery are critical issues for Formula 1 and working with the best in the business is a priority for us. This is a collaboration that will help us stay at the technological cutting edge in these categories."

Tata Communications and Formula One Management are also planning to work in close collaboration on research and development around connectivity and latest video technologies.

Tata first got involved in F1 in 2004 when it started providing Ferrari with IT services through TCS and has been supporting Narain Karthikeyan as well, consequently appearing on the Jordan F1 car in 2005 and HRT in 2011.