Cable & Wireless Jersey to build new fibre-optic network | AP Technical

​Cable & Wireless Jersey is investing £2.4 million in a new fibre-optic 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.”

First published on www.ifcfeed.com on 03/08/2010