Forrester Research - SOA-API plays an important role in EE's merger

EE (Everything Everywhere), a UK digital telecommunications company formed by merging the UK operations of T-Mobile and Orange

Following the merger of Orange UK and T-Mobile UK, EE faced challenges in integrating two separate technology estates while maintaining the pre-merger Orange and T-Mobile brands. To achieve back-office synergies, EE needed to rationalize infrastructure, but this was complicated by the decision to introduce a third brand, EE, for 4G services and fiber broadband. As a result, the company had to manage three distinct brands, each with its own products and websites, delaying full rationalization and adding complexity to its post-merger strategy.

As part of its rationalization strategy, EE adopted a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), building on the experiences of Orange UK and T-Mobile UK. Using Forrester’s maturity model, EE unified operations across its three brands with a strong SOA governance framework. The SOA service lifecycle, supported by business collaboration, created a common base for transactions and processes. Torry Harris Business Solutions (THBS) ran an offshore service build factory, delivering hundreds of services, streamlining operations, and laying the groundwork for API expansion to enhance EE's digital capabilities.

• EE successfully integrated and optimized its technology estate, ensuring unified business operations across all three brands.
• SOA implementation enabled business agility, allowing process improvements to be deployed across brands efficiently.
• The offshore service build factory run by THBS delivered hundreds of services, ensuring scalability and cost efficiency.
• EE's structured SOA and API strategy positioned the company for long-term digital transformation and operational excellence.