The telecommunications operator, EXATEL, is implementing new strategy and services – and forecasts increased revenue. The pillars of company’s growth are expanding Poland’s fibre-optic network, as well as offering advanced cybersecurity services and comprehensive ICT solutions for organizations. The changes are reflected by the new, modern corporate identity, presented during the 3rd edition of EXATEL Security Days – a conference of cybersecurity practitioners.
EXATEL is, next to Orange and Netia, the creator of one of the three largest fibre-optic networks in Poland. EXATEL is a large B2B telecommunications operator, focused on providing services to companies, other operators and the public sector. Market change and technological development make it impossible to stand still. EXATEL’s response to this challenge is simple – do not be follower of change, be a driver.
“The telecommunications industry is becoming increasingly more challenging. Anyway, this is a global phenomenon. The offer of traditional services is insufficient for staying in today’s market. Therefore, we do not want to imitate anyone since we have our vision of ourselves. Over the years, we have expanded our operational formula by providing new services and industries, by investing in network development and by building new skills. Effect? It is already readily visible to the naked eye – in this year’s first quarterly results. For the first time in years, we have recorded an increase in EBITDA – and already by as much as 52%, compared to the same period in 2017. Worth underlining is that this is only one of several positive pieces of information” – Nikodem Bończa Tomaszewski, EXATEL President.
The strategy of changes at EXATEL is based on four pillars, namely, fibre-optic network development, cybersecurity, integrated ICT (information and communications technology) services and investing in innovations. The new corporate identity is an expression of the followed direction.
NEW LOGO
The new identity was presented during the third edition of EXATEL Security Days – a conference for cybersecurity practitioners.
“Our new image illustrates what we have learned. This is the result of our change in our identity, the way we operate, and the position we see our company in on the market. The new logo was designed by White Cat Studio, a renowned design studio, known for, among others, award-winning projects for PZU, Expander and PKO BP. The logo is stable, modern and suggestive. We focused on communication that is calm in nature and very economical in its expression. The selected colour is strongly correlated with innovation and the new technologies market. We want to emphasize that we are a company that does not pursue changes, but creates them on its own. The chosen colours reinforce the message that EXATEL is a creative and competent company that guarantees peace of mind for its partners. The tonal transition between two shades of blue provides it with lightness” – said Marcin Malicki, EXATEL Vice-President for Marketing and Sales.
MOST SECURE POLISH NETWORK
The new identity expresses a new market positioning, the essence of which is security. It is accompanied by the slogan: najbezpieczniejsza polska sieć [most secure Polish network]. EXATEL’s offer is distinguished by guaranteed client security, stability, breadth and quality of the network, 20 years of company experience, satisfying the most demanding clients, Polish ownership and the highest cybersecurity competence on the market, which is an absolutely unique set of characteristics.
CYBERSOVEREIGN POLAND
EXATEL’s mission is to build Polish cybersovereignty. What is this?
“Cyberspace has become equally important as the actual territory of a country. Our task is to help the State, so that – just like within its real territory – it provides online freedom, safety and comfort to everyone – said president Nikodem Bończa Tomaszewski. – If Poland is to be a significant player in the global technological game, it cannot only accept the role of being a consumer of solutions developed elsewhere. It has to shape its own position and set out the direction of development itself. This is the deepest essence behind the existence and operation of our company” – he added.
EXATEL has based building cybersovereignty understood this way on several pillars, which include a team of the best experts, own infrastructure and solutions, protecting user privacy,cybersecurity and services supporting organizational development.
CHANGES ARE NOT SUPERFICIAL
Visual changes stress the company’s new capabilities. The EXATEL network is growing every day, hence, is becoming more accessible to customers. Our portfolio of cybersecurity services is not only even more encompassing, but has also been operationally verified by almost 50 clients. Innovation for EXATEL is not an idea, rather it is 6 specific projects and millions of zlotys spent on investments.
“For several years we have been eagerly investing in network development. We are currently reaching 1000 km per year, but are building this under an assumption that it is only a warm-up” – said Rafał Magryś, EXATEL Vice-President for Technology. – “The network is just the beginning. The services it enables us to provide are of utmost importance. Our market discriminant is cybersecurity. We focus on our own team and skills, because we want to provide actual support for our partners. Our staff of 30 experts is able to provide protection 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Clients from the banking, medical, industrial, transport and public sectors have already trusted us.”
A new element in EXATEL’s development strategy is the enhancement of the organization’s research and development competences. Over the period of just the last 12 months, we have managed to acquire PLN 10.59 MM in grants for R&D. We are working on such projects as Smart City, TAMA – an original system for protection against volumetric attacks (anti-DDoS) developed in cooperation with the Warsaw University of Technology – and the latest – a software-defined network device – SDNbox.
EXATEL CAN DO MORE
EXATEL’s strength is also evidenced by its stable market positioning. Indeed, 990 companies and institutions from Poland and abroad are currently its clients.
“EXATEL has a vast and balanced client portfolio. We are particularly strong within the banking, energy, inter-operator and public markets. We also have developed services for the defence sector. We are aware that telecommunications infrastructure is not enough for the organizations of today. They require comprehensive solutions tailored to their needs, and a partner who they can really trust – one that will guarantee a secure and stable technological environment, matching their objectives. This is why our current offer is very broad. It covers, e.g., our own Data Centre and equipment supplies. We have a team of certified implementation and maintenance engineers, software developers, architects, project managers and pentesters. We manage to consistently arouse our clients’ trust. This is evidenced by 30 large hardware deployments over the recent year and a 67% increase in cybersecurity-related revenues already after the first 4 months of this year” – added Marcin Malicki.
“Combining the potential of our own fibre-optic network, security, IT solutions and innovation will translate to constant growth in the company’s value. The increase in EBITDA is the first positive sign of the changes we are introducing. They strengthen our belief that we are on the right track, though we are aware that there is a long march ahead of us” – summed up Nikodem Bończa Tomaszewski.
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ABOUT EXATEL
EXATEL is a Polish telecommunications operator, as well as an ICT and cybersecurity service provider. It was founded in 2004 as a result of a merger between Telbank and Tel-Energo. It has constructed and now manages one of the largest fibre-optic networks in Poland – one over 21700 km long. It develops solutions for business, other operators and the public sector. EXATEL provides data transmission for all Polish commercial banks and 83 companies in Poland’s energy sector. It has also designed and built the OST (Nationwide ICT Network) for government administration communication. The entity manages connections with 265 domestic and 135 foreign operators, and is present in international traffic exchange points in London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Moscow and Kiev. Since 2017, it has been fully state-owned and is supervised by the Minister of National Defence.
