Business communications gets belt and two braces

A growing finance industry needs the most reliable communications links possible, according to Cable & Wireless International's chairman. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen was in Guernsey yesterday to launch Hugo east, the newest of the fibre-optic connections linking the island directly to the C&W global network.

He said that companies communicating on an international scale required a service of the highest capacity and reliability.

'The backbone of Guernsey's financial services industry demands the most up-to-date technology infrastructure.

'C&W has invested heavily to modernise and refresh to make sure this part of the community recognises we have long-term commitment to Guernsey and the Channel Islands.'

He added that three separate links to the global network - one to the UK and two to France, the most recent via Jersey - ensured there was always an alternative route available should one become temporarily disabled.

'This service is absolutely essential for the finance community. It won't go places unless an alternative is available.

'Should the operations of a business that needs to communicate internationally go down for just 20 minutes, it's in big trouble.

'And the online gaming industry, which is increasingly successful in the Channel Islands, has an even shorter survival time.

'That's why this new addition is so important, as it will ensure even greater resilience and security.'

The technology to support the link has cost C&W £2m.

Project Hugo provided the first direct connection to the C&W International global telecommunications network when in 2005 the company invested £6.5m. in two new fibre-optic cables linking Guernsey to the UK and France.

These links also mean better service for the 65% of households connected to broadband and business customers are also benefiting from cost reductions of 30% and faster connection speeds on some services.

C&W marketing director Mark Briers said Project Hugo enabled the company to deliver more choice and better value in the telecommunication marketplace.

'Sophisticated telecommunications services are vital for companies based in the Channel Islands and serving international markets and our investment is helping to ensure that the islands remain both competitive and also attractive to new businesses.'

The Hugo network uses optical fibre technology with enough capacity to accommodate a 25-fold increase in the current volume of traffic across the islands.

The fibre-optic 'strands' used in Hugo east are located within the cable that supplies both islands with electricity.

C&W International chief executive Harris Jones said the company needed a 3G licence soon.

'We are committed to providing the latest in technology to customers and we recognise that 3G would follow as the next evolution for mobile users and we will do everything we can to make sure we don't fall behind.'

Commenting on the OUR's granting of a 3G licence to Wave and Guernsey Airtel-Vodafone and not to C&W, he said: 'I am not aware of any other market in the world where a major incumbent was not granted a 3G licence.'