Tata Communications has been chosen by Formula One Management (FOM) to provide broadcast services for the GP2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup racing series. Tata Communications will provide a fibre and satellite solution to broadcasters from across the globe at the 12 race locations in 2015.
The agreement will also enable broadcasters covering GP2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup races to take advantage of Tata Communications’ Race Network Operations Centre (NOC), located in the Formula 1 Technical Centre, Formula One Management’s 150-ton, 750sqm nerve centre present at every F1 event.
Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group commented: “We are always looking to help provide our partners and clients with the highest standards of support and service and our decision to appoint Tata Communications as the provider of these broadcast services is designed to deliver this.”
Tata Communications already provides MPLS, internet access and managed hosting and security, as well as Content Delivery Network (CDN) and co-location services for FOM. This global platform also delivers data and live broadcast quality video to FOM and since 2012 Tata Communications has supported 57 races with over 400 hours of live service management. The same platform also delivers a range of connectivity services to the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team and Chello DMC, which distributes to Dutch sports channel Sport1.
Tata Communications installs and tests its network infrastructure in two days at the 20 race locations, then dismantles it in just three hours after the races.
“Tata Communications’ work with Formula One Management is a testament to the diversity and versatility of our services,” commented Vinod Kumar, MD and CEO, Tata Communications. “Each Formula 1 race demands a range of connected services similar to that of a small city. By consolidating fixed line connectivity needs with Tata Communications, Formula One Management will be able to take the greatest possible advantage of that infrastructure and tap into the versatility, on and off-site support and existing knowledge and experience of our platform and our team. We are a unique player in the ecosystem and well-placed to help deliver high quality live feeds to customers all over the world.”
