Cable & Wireless builds a new gateway to the world
Cable & Wireless Jersey is investing £2.4
million in a new fixed-line telecoms network for St Helier.
Preliminary work has already begun and once
complete, the fibre-optic system around the town will link directly
with the Cable & Wireless global network. For the first time,
St Helier businesses will have direct access to the rest of the
world via one integrated supplier.
The network is being built to supply businesses
with a new communications route out of the island, something which
good business practice requires. In addition, it brings additional
competition to the fixed line market and will result in lower
prices for business customers.
Graham Hughes, Chief Executive of Cable &
Wireless in Jersey, feels that the time is right for Jersey to
provide businesses with the choice and prices that they need.
“Our network will be a breath of fresh air for
Jersey businesses, particularly those in the finance industry, by
supplying private circuits and other business services at very
competitive prices. Today’s corporate governance standards demand
that finance companies use more than one telecom provider in order
to spread risk but until now the choice of suppliers in Jersey has
been limited.
“On top of this, there is a restricted range of
pricing and products currently available to purchase wholesale from
existing suppliers. At the recent IoD Telecoms mini-debate in April
a member of the audience highlighted that this makes Jersey less
attractive as a jurisdiction in which to do business. Our access
network will introduce more competition and new services for local
companies.”
Work will begin in the next few days on the
digging of a number of trial holes around St Helier, with the
commencement of cable-laying expected in late August.
“There will be a small amount of disruption as
we lay the new network,“ explained Graham Hughes, “and we do
apologise for any inconvenience that is caused. We are working with
Transport & Technical Services, the Parish of St Helier and
other interested parties to ensure that this is minimised.”
Wherever possible, Cable & Wireless Jersey
and its contractor, Geomarine, will work with partners to minimise
disruption to road users and businesses in St. Helier.
“We are working to keep traffic disruption to a
minimum and will publish information about when and where the road
works will take place, as well as notifying all householders and
businesses along the routes. We will also publish details of the
project on our website, www.surecw.com,” said Graham Hughes.
“Once the project is complete, I’m sure that
businesses will quickly realise the benefits of having a new
network that’s able to deliver the very latest high-speed
technologies in a cost-effective manner.”