BT Group and Verizon Communications have agreed to combine their international enterprise operations into a jointly controlled company, with each parent holding equal voting rights in a 50:50 ownership structure. The move will fold BT International - the arm that delivers secure communications and network services to multinational clients - together with Verizon’s international enterprise wireline division.
The joint venture will serve in excess of 3,000 customers across more than 180 countries, representing approximately $4 billion of combined annual revenue. As part of the arrangement, Verizon has agreed to pay BT an equalization payment of $625 million.
Strategic focus and capabilities
Both companies said the new entity is being positioned to support cloud-first operations and applications built around artificial intelligence, concentrating on multinational connectivity for enterprise customers. The combined scale aims to provide a platform designed around the connectivity and services needs of global businesses.
Leadership and transition
Martijn Blanken has been named Chief Executive Officer-designate of the planned joint venture, a condition that is subject to the completion of the transaction. Blanken brings nearly three decades of senior leadership experience, having served at Telstra, Openwave Systems, EXA Infrastructure and KPN. He is set to join BT on September 1 and will work with both parent companies as they prepare to launch the new business.
Until the joint venture is created, Clive Selley will remain CEO of BT International and continue to lead that business. Verizon confirmed that its existing leadership structure will remain unchanged during the transition period.
Timing and regulatory conditions
The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions. Both BT and Verizon have stated that their international enterprise units will continue to operate independently until the transaction is completed and the joint venture is formally established.
Key context points
- The combined business will represent roughly $4 billion in annual revenue and more than 3,000 multinational customers across 180+ countries.
- Verizon will make a $625 million equalization payment to BT as part of the 50:50 deal.
- Martijn Blanken is appointed CEO-designate of the new company, joining BT from September 1; Clive Selley will continue to lead BT International until the joint venture is formed.
Operational and market implications
The agreement brings together the international enterprise wireline operations of Verizon and the global network and secure communications business of BT International into a single multinational connectivity platform. The companies describe the new venture as oriented toward cloud-first operations and AI-driven applications, targeting multinational corporate customers with scaled global coverage.
Risks and uncertainties
- The transaction remains conditional on regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions - timing and approval outcomes could affect when or whether the deal completes.
- Both international businesses will continue to operate separately until closing, which could affect integration planning and near-term operations.