O2 bags massive Network Rail BlackBerry deal

Mobile operator O2 has won a contract to provide 23,000 Network Rail staff with voice, BlackBerry and other mobile data services - its largest corporate customer win to-date.

The rail company's previous mobile provider was Vodafone. O2 said the win overturns an industry-wide perception that large companies are reluctant to take the risk of changing suppliers.

O2 said it will work with the rail infrastructure owner-operator to identify areas of its business where mobile technology can enhance efficiency and give its workforce greater flexibility.

Network Rail's director of information management, Catherine Doran, said the company is keen to use technology to change the way it works.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.