AsiaInfo-Linkage, a provider of telecommunications software solutions and related services in China, has announced plans to establish its European headquarters in Cambridge, United Kingdom, as part of an ongoing initiative to expand its operations across international markets.
AsiaInfo-Linkage has a leading position in China with a greater than 50% share of the telecommunications billing, CRM, and business intelligence markets. In 2009, the company began expanding its core business in Southeast Asia, and it is now targeting a broader geographical expansion in the Europe, Middle East and Africa market.
AsiaInfo-Linkage's new regional headquarters in Cambridge will be led by two former executives of Geneva Technology, the Cambridge-based billing software company acquired by Convergys Inc. in 2001. Stephen Newton, formerly chief operating officer of Geneva Technology and president for the EMEA market at Convergys, will set up AsiaInfo-Linkage's advisory board and act as its chairman. Meanwhile, Andy Tiller, formerly vice president in charge of product marketing at Geneva Technology and Convergys, has joined AsiaInfo-Linkage as vice president in charge of corporate product marketing. He will lead an international team to promote AsiaInfo-Linkage's global solutions.
Steve Zhang, president and chief executive officer for AsiaInfo-Linkage, said that the opening of the new European headquarters is another major step in their international expansion efforts. Their focus over the past few quarters has been to ramp up their product standardization and integration initiatives as they position themselves to grow globally. They believe they can leverage their technical knowledge and experience in serving China's three telecom carriers, as well as their experience serving carriers in Southeast Asia, to provide the EMEA market with world-class products and services.
Zhang also said that they are confident that the accomplished leadership of their new European headquarters has the capacity to grow their business and enhance their industry position in the region.
The company plans to hire locally-based sales, professional services, and customer support staff for the EMEA region through 2012.
AsiaInfo-Linkage, Inc. is a leading provider of high-quality software solutions and IT services to the telecommunications industry. Headquartered in Beijing, the company has offices throughout China and a joint venture in Singapore to support customers across Asia. The company employs more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, of which approximately 8,500 are highly skilled engineers and research and development professionals. AsiaInfo-Linkage's systems serve more than 890 million customers daily.