Cable & Wireless today announced the launch of its high-speed global IP network for businesses across Ireland. It has rolled out its world-class communications infrastructure to twenty seven towns and cities via the e-net’s fibre optic network. Companies outside Dublin can now benefit from direct access to a faster, more reliable and cost-effective communications network that spans eighty countries and five continents.
At present, many of the world’s leading companies connect directly to Cable & Wireless’ tier one network. For customers, such as Ryanair, it provides the backbone for their national and international communications requirements. Huge volumes of voice and/or data traffic can be shared across the network with significant cost, performance and bandwidth efficiencies.
By rolling out one of the world’s largest single IP infrastructures to the regions, its availability will improve Ireland’s attractiveness to large global companies seeking highly-developed economic, social and physical infrastructures. The Cable & Wireless network will also appeal to large indigenous companies requiring high-capacity bandwidth and direct access to global markets.
Speaking at the launch event in Cork today, Mr. Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said, “This is another important step towards our goal of a balanced regional infrastructure. With direct access to the Cable & Wireless global network, regional companies can now compete for business on an equal footing with their Dublin and international counterparts.”
Noreen O’Hare, country director, Cable & Wireless, said, “This is a landmark day for Cable & Wireless in Ireland. We know that companies outside Dublin have been demanding fast and direct connection to global markets. Thanks to e|net, we have cost-effectively rolled-out our high-speed global IP network to the Irish regions. This allows us to focus on delivering the best possible service to our customers, regardless of their location in Ireland.”
Chief Executive Officer of e|net Conal Henry said: “e|net is proud to partner Cable & Wireless in what is another major boost to Ireland’s Metropolitan Area Networks. The MAN project is delivering, facilitating foreign direct investment and driving down communication costs and increasing competition in the regions. e|net is well positioned to support telcos throughout the country in providing flexible and reliable communications solutions with turnaround times and service levels that eircom customers can only dream of.”
There are currently 27 MANs operational throughout the country and this will be expanded to approximately 120 towns as the Government built infrastructure is rolled out.
Cable & Wireless chose to migrate its regional traffic from Eircom to e|net due to the quality and flexibility offered by a national fibre infrastructure connecting twenty seven Irish towns and cities.
Cable & Wireless is the leading business specialist communications provider and the third largest telecoms company in Ireland. It has enjoyed a long relationship with the country, having laid the first successful transatlantic cable between Valentia Island and Newfoundland in 1866. Today, Cable & Wireless has over 150 employees in Ireland and works with forty seven of Ireland’s top one hundred companies.