HP and BT Group Sign $1.5-Billion Alliance

Computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. and British phone company BT Group will pool their strengths to target global corporate spending on telecommunications and technology, the firms announced.

The companies have signed a $1.5-billion deal under which BT will manage HP’s voice and data networks and call centers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Hewlett-Packard will manage BT’s information technology infrastructure in Britain.

Andy Green, BT’s technology chief, said revenue from the seven-year, nonexclusive deal would be split almost equally.