Verizon and BT Group are forming a 50:50 international enterprise joint venture that will combine BT International with Verizon’s international enterprise wireline business. Announced on June 29, 2026, the planned company will focus on secure global connectivity for multinational customers operating across cloud systems, regulated markets, and cross-border business environments.
Key Takeaways
- Verizon and BT Group announced the agreement on June 29, 2026.
- The venture will combine BT International with Verizon’s international enterprise wireline business.
- The planned company is expected to serve more than 3,000 customers across more than 180 countries.
- The combined business represents about $4 billion in annual revenue, according to figures released by the companies.
- Verizon and BT Group expect the transaction to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Verizon and BT Group announced an agreement to combine their international enterprise operations into a new joint venture focused on multinational connectivity.
The planned company will bring together BT International and Verizon’s international enterprise wireline business. Both companies will hold equal voting rights under the 50:50 structure.
According to figures released by Verizon and BT Group, the venture is expected to serve more than 3,000 customers across more than 180 countries. The combined business represents approximately $4 billion in annual revenue.
As part of the transaction, Verizon has agreed to pay BT Group a $625 million equalisation payment.
Enterprise Connectivity, Not Consumer Wireless
The announcement is focused on enterprise connectivity, not consumer wireless service.
The planned venture is designed for multinational companies that need secure communications across markets, cloud systems, and regulated operating environments. These customers often require network support across several countries, legal systems, and data environments.
Verizon said it will continue to directly serve customers in the United States. The new venture is expected to support international enterprise connectivity for Verizon customers outside the United States through commercial arrangements with the parent companies.
Why Are Verizon And BT Group Combining International Enterprise Units?
Verizon and BT Group are combining international enterprise units to create a larger connectivity platform for multinational customers.
BT International provides secure communication and network services to global business customers. Verizon’s international enterprise wireline business provides secure connectivity to companies operating outside the United States.
The companies said the combined business will support customers in a cloud-first environment and in the age of artificial intelligence. They also said the platform is intended to help customers meet local compliance and sovereignty requirements.
Those requirements may matter to companies operating in markets with different rules for data handling, network resilience, and service delivery.
Leadership Comments From Both Companies
BT Group Chief Executive Allison Kirkby said the venture is intended to create a scaled connectivity platform for multinational customers.
Verizon Chief Executive Dan Schulman said multinational customers need secure and flexible connectivity across borders and cloud environments.
Both companies framed the deal as a way to support businesses that rely on resilient communication systems across regions.
What Could The Verizon And BT Group Venture Mean For Enterprise Customers?
Verizon and BT Group are positioning the venture around multinational companies that need secure connectivity across offices, data systems, cloud platforms, and operational sites in different countries.
The planned company is expected to support customers that require more than basic network access. Large companies may need managed services, service continuity, enterprise security readiness, cloud access, and support for data movement across borders.
The companies did not announce a consumer product or immediate service package tied to the transaction. Instead, the announcement points to the infrastructure layer that supports enterprise systems and global business operations.
How Customers May Use The New Platform
For enterprise technology leaders, the venture could become part of future vendor reviews involving wide-area networks, secure connectivity, cloud access, and multinational service management.
The planned company is also expected to work with both parent companies after completion. Verizon will continue serving U.S. customers directly, while the joint venture is expected to support Verizon customers internationally. BT Group customers outside the United Kingdom are also expected to be supported through commercial arrangements with the new business.
Who Will Lead The New Verizon And BT Group Venture?
Verizon and BT Group named Martijn Blanken as chief executive officer-designate of the new venture, conditional on completion of the transaction.
Blanken has held senior leadership roles across telecommunications, technology, and digital infrastructure. His previous experience includes work with Telstra, Openwave Systems, EXA Infrastructure, and KPN.
Blanken is expected to join BT Group on September 1, 2026. He is expected to take the planned CEO role at the new company once the transaction is completed.
During the transition, Clive Selley will continue to lead BT International.
Planned Structure And Location
The planned company will be incorporated in the Bailiwick of Jersey. Verizon and BT Group said the company will be headquartered and tax resident in the United Kingdom.
The entity is expected to operate as a separate international connectivity platform with commercial links to both BT Group and Verizon.
Equal ownership gives the venture a shared-control model. Verizon and BT Group said both companies will hold equal voting rights.
What Happens Before The Verizon And BT Group Deal Closes?
Verizon and BT Group said the transaction is expected to close in 2027. The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals, required employee consultations, and other customary closing conditions.
Until completion, BT International and Verizon’s international enterprise wireline business will continue to operate separately.
Customers may watch for further details on account management, service continuity, and transition steps after the transaction receives approval.
The companies have not presented the venture as a change to Verizon’s U.S. consumer wireless business or BT Group’s domestic consumer operations. The announcement is focused on international enterprise connectivity and multinational customers.
