British Telecommunications Plc (BT) announced a series of investments aimed at doubling its business in key Latin American countries over the next three years.

By recruiting 250 new staff, increasing its professional services capabilities, opening new centers of excellence and implementing a wide range of network and customer service improvements, BT will better support global customers investing in this region and help large Latin American companies expand globally.

BT’s research has identified an addressable market for the company in the Latin American region of $18.5 billion as at 31 March 2011, growing at a rapid 7% per annum. BT already serves around 1,300 organizations in the region, including a number of global multinational companies, such as Unilever, Rhodia, BASF and Fiat.

BT has this year signed a number of high profile contracts with Latin-American companies such as the $206 million contract with ECT – Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telegrafos (the state-owned Brazilian Post Office and Telegraph Company).

BT also signed contracts with Caixa Economica Federal to connect its data centers with its banking correspondents and lottery outlets in Brazil, with Pao de Acucar, the largest retail conglomerate in Brazil, with Ecopetrol, Colombia’s largest company, and with Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies, where BT supports the Compartel program to deliver internet connectivity to hundreds of schools, hospitals, council buildings, courthouses and other government institutions and contracts.

Commenting on the planned investments Jeff Kelly, CEO BT Global Services said, “Latin America is showing great dynamism and ability to grow in the face of a turbulent global economy. BT’s global customers recognize this.”

“Right now, they are expanding and investing in the region. BT also understands that large Latin-American companies are rolling out ambitious strategies of globalization. These powerhouse players need consistency across their global operations, in their home bases and all over the world. That is exactly what BT’s investments allow it to deliver to them,” noted Kelly.

As part of the new program, BT will hire around 250 new employees in the region, including highly skilled professional services specialists to support customer needs and deliver BT’s enhanced portfolio of products and services.

Through BT’s professional services capabilities, global delivery model and strong partner relationships, customers active in Latin America will benefit from industry leading expertise.

BT will also extend the coverage of its high performance networks in the region by increasing the number of its MPLS points of presence by around 20% and by launching Ethernet services in 21 new cities.