Wave goes mobile, but chat to C&W must wait

WAVE Telecom launched its mobile network yesterday. Its shop was busy with interested customers, but any who sign up will not be able to receive calls from Cable & Wireless customers for a week.

'We had to supply information several months ago about our charges and they had to notify the regulator of any new tariffs,' said Wave managing director Tim Ringsdore.

'They did, but it wasn't in time for our launch and they say that they won't be able to operate the service until 7 July. But it is an issue for Cable & Wireless and the regulator.

'We have complied fully with the OUR's directive to launch our service on 1 July with the final signing of documents this morning.'

A Cable & Wireless spokesman said that the delay was due to receiving insufficient notice from Wave of what it would charge to terminate a call on its network.

'As soon as we received that notification, on 14 June, we calculated our rates, but they had to be published in La Gazette Officielle 21 days before the service could commence. We have worked with the OUR so that we can bring the date forward by seven days.'

OUR regulatory manager John Curran said that Cable & Wireless announced call charges to Wave mobiles on 24 June following the conclusion of a commercial arrangement between the companies.

'The OUR has waived the requirement for the full 21 days notice period in this case and Cable & Wireless has offered to fast track its internal process so that both fixed and mobile customers can call Wave mobile customers from 7 July,' he said.

The new Wave network offers a selection of services with different tariffs to suit the needs of business and residential users.

As well as the three main monthly and one pay-as-you-go tariffs, there are a range of packages that offer bundles of free talk minutes and text messages.

'After a long wait, we're delighted to launch our mobile network and offer some excellent tariffs, great value and choice,' said Mr Ringsdore.

'We've listened very carefully to what islanders want and have done a lot of market research and we hope we have some quite innovative solutions.

'People know what their usage patterns are and we are very customer focussed to recognise what will satisfy them and light-footed enough to adapt and change to their needs.

'There has been a lot of interest already and last week we were inundated with enquiries from people saying that they were going to wait for our launch.'

Wave customers will be able to make and receive calls from across the world. For those who take advantage of the latest technology, WAP, the Internet, e-mail and picture services are available.

It is the only Channel Islands communications company to be awarded a 3G licence, bringing the benefits of video telephony. The network was being optimised yesterday and once fully operational, associated services will be offered.

Global communications supplier Alcatel provided the infrastructure for Wave's networks.

Chief executive officer Luc Defieuw said, 'As a result of our close relationship with Wave Telecom, Guernsey mobile users can look forward to a whole host of exciting new services, including multimedia messaging, high-speed data, web access and mobile video calls.'

Wave's shop in Commercial Arcade has been supplemented on a temporary basis by another across the road to make things easier for customers.

Its services are due to be extended and launched in Alderney and Sark at the end of the year.

* Information about the new service is available at www.wavetelecom.com