BT to deliver broadcast media network for London 2012

BT today announced that it has signed a deal with Olympic Broadcasting Services London Ltd (OBSL), to deliver the broadcast and media network for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As the Official Communications Services Partner for the Games, BT is delivering the critical communications infrastructure required to support the event. This new partnership with OBS further enhances BT’s role in providing the vital communications services and expertise which will underpin the greatest sporting event in the world.

BT’s fibre based network will carry broadcast signals from and between the majority of venues to OBSL’s broadcast centre, for onward transmission to broadcasters across the world. This will enable billions of people across the globe to watch the Games in High Definition (HD).

At present the broadcast and media network will cover 21 Olympic UK locations, with the majority of services within the London area.

Duncan Ingram, group director, BT London 2012, said: “This is an exciting partnership and one where we will work closely with Olympic Broadcasting Services London to help provide essential Olympic sports viewing.”

Paul Mason, Head of Olympic Broadcasting Services London Ltd, said: “We are confident that BT has the depth and expertise to deliver OBS’s Games coverage to the International Broadcast Centre with the essential Olympic standards of quality and resilience.”
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About OBS London (2012)
Olympic Broadcasting Services London Ltd. (OBSL) is the host broadcasting organization for the Games of the XXX Olympiad, London 2012.
OBSL will produce and transmit the unbiased live radio and television coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games. In this role, OBSL will provide broadcasters with various unilateral facilities and services at both the venues and the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC).
The specific duties of OBSL as the Host Broadcaster are as follows:
• Produce the international television and radio (ITVR) signals of the Games;
• Design, build, install and operate and then dismantle the temporary facilities required for the IBC;
• Design, install, operate and then remove such facilities and equipment at competition venues and select non-competition venues other than the IBC;
• Coordinate and provide various multilateral and unilateral facilities and services to the Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs);
• Represent the needs of the RHBs to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and other organisations regarding all operational matters, and a variety of facilities and services;
• Produce various features and maintain an Olympic archival service during the Games;
• Assist LOCOG in the design and building of infrastructure needed at the venues to accommodate the needs of OBSL and the RHBs.