BT, Verizon join forces to create US$4 billion international joint venture
Published Mon, Jun 29, 2026 · 02:54 PM
BT AND Verizon on Monday announced a deal to combine their international enterprise operations into a 50:50 joint venture, focusing on serving multinational clients and bringing together US$4 billion in combined annual revenue.
Verizon has agreed to pay BT an equalisation payment of US$625 million, and both companies will hold equal voting rights in the new venture, which will serve more than 3,000 customers in over 180 countries.
The deal marks a milestone for BT chief executive Allison Kirkby, who has been steadily refocusing the 180-year-old British telecoms group on its home UK market while shedding international assets.
Verizon CEO Dan Schulman, who has been pushing his own turnaround at the US wireless carrier, said the venture was “the clear answer” for international customers who need secure, flexible connectivity that works across borders and cloud environments.
BT and Verizon named Martijn Blanken as chief executive officer-designate of the new company. Blanken will join BT Group from Sep 1, 2026, and work with both parent companies as they prepare to launch the joint venture. REUTERS