Cable & Wireless to unveil Next Generation Network soon

Cable & Wireless St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be the first in the Caribbean to roll out phase one of the Next Generation Network (NGN) technology by end of October 2008.{{more}}

The Next Generation Network (NGN) is the term given to describe a telecommunications network that handles multiple types of traffic such as voice, data and entertainment, including video. The NGN will converge the Public Switched Telephone Network, the Data Network (the Internet) and Wireless Network, which will enable Cable & Wireless to expand its service mix to meet the demand for new broadband, Ethernet and IP services, and providing a robust and resilient single communication platform.

Chief Executive Cable & Wireless Caribbean, Richard Dodd, said: “The NGN roll out across the Caribbean is part of our US$140 million investment and commitment to the region to use World Class technology to manage a key factor in our customer experience – our networks. Customers in St Vincent and the Grenadines will be the first to feel the experience, as certain features will confirm to North American standards.”

Customers in Prospect will be the first to be migrated and the other exchange areas will be done in a phased manner.

Country Manager Angus Steele said: “This is another first for St Vincent and the Grenadines. We were the first to deploy a digital exchange in the Caribbean when System X was installed in 1984, and we are excited to deploy such state-of-the- art communication systems like NGN. It will enable us to install new applications rapidly, keeping our customers on the leading edge of innovation and enable us to respond to provision and restoration of voice, data and other new services in a much quicker time”

Foster Hannaway, VP Marketing, Mobile Broadband, indicates that Customers will see quite a few changes in the tones, announcements and features of the NGN, and Cable & Wireless will use several mediums to enlighten Customers of these changes.

As the project continues to roll out across the country, a hot line will be installed so that customers will get the opportunity to give regular feedback.