TÁNAISTE OPENS CABLE & WIRELESS FACILITY IN SHANNON Cable & Wireless Global Operations to Exceed Job Creation Targets at Shannon

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment today (Friday, 4th February 2000) opened Cable & Wireless' new global operations centre in Shannon. The Shannon facility – Cable & Wireless Global Operations, which is backed by Shannon Development, is the latest link in the Company's global IP (Internet Protocol) network. With over 75 people now employed, and a recruitment campaign ongoing for an additional 35 people, Cable & Wireless is set to exceed its job creation target of 110 people during this year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony the Tánaiste said: "Cable & Wireless' decision to locate its global customer service centre at Shannon will place Ireland centre stage in the global telecommunications sector. With over 50,000 employees and revenues of approximately US$12.5 billion, the company is a major global provider of communications services. The company has been involved in telecommunications since the mid 1800s but in locating its global nerve centre in Shannon it is positioning itself to once again shape the direction of the industry."

The Tánaiste added: "Shannon has gained a leading and forward looking player in a most dynamic sector. As provider of the only global IP (Internet Protocol) backbone, which provides seamless, high speed connections for global internet traffic on a single network linking the world's major business hubs, Cable & Wireless is not only a truly global company but it is simultaneously facilitating the globalisation of business generally."

Speaking at Shannon, Mike McTighe, CEO of Cable & Wireless Global Operations, said: "We have recently announced our investments in 11 ISPs across Europe, in 20 web and data hosting centres around the world, in making our IP network the most advanced, and with the best coverage in the world. But we must have the customer service infrastructure to bind all of these things together. This is the glue that will stick the pieces of our investment together, ensuring that Cable & Wireless will succeed in its vision to be an advanced, integrated service provider in all major markets with a focus on business customers.

"As more and more sales of communications and IT products and services move on-line, services centres will take on an increasingly important role. They are the direct contact with our customers, and this investment reflects how important we view that customer relationship," he added.

"Telecommunications is such an intrinsic part of business", stated Paul Sheane, chief executive, Shannon Development. "It is an employment generator of itself but also a facilitator of employment. So, the arrival of Cable & Wireless provides a double boost to Shannon and is a welcome addition to the cluster of telecommunications activity now building up at the Shannon Free Zone."

With customers in 70 countries, Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with annual revenues of around $14 billion and over 50,000 employees. Its businesses around the world offer a range of services spanning broadband data and internet services, fixed and mobile voice, as well as interactive entertainment and information, Cable & Wireless' priority for expansion is the fast growing market of data and IP (Internet Protocol) services for business.

The new multi-lingual IP-enabled service centre at Shannon will provide pan-European customer service, sales, billing and administrative services for Cable & Wireless customers across Europe. The centre is strategically located on Cable & Wireless' global IP-network. The network, with an investment of over Stg£3.5bn, will cover over 200 metropolitan areas in Europe alone by 2002.