GSM Network to Be Housed in Hurricane Proof Building

Cable & Wireless in the Cayman Islands has commenced building a facility, able to withstand earthquakes and Category 5 hurricanes, which will house the main components of the new GSM cellular system, along with control systems for C&W's other services.

Designed by OBM team members Cindy O'Hara - Managing Director, and Craig Nixon and Jaron Jackson - Architects, the modern, 38,000-square-foot One Technology Square will be the most advanced commercial structure in the Cayman Islands. The new building will house the highest level of technological equipment and data systems for Cable & Wireless' central telephone exchange, Internet servers and cellular service.

Designed to withstand category five hurricanes, as well as 300 pounds of pressure per square foot - tripling the standard Cayman office building requirements -telecommunication service for the Cayman Islands will be well protected. Other innovative features include ten-inch concrete walls, a state-of-the-art security system, a twenty-four-seven incident control room, a sophisticated networking system, temperature and humidity monitors and controls, and handicap accessibility. Bunkrooms are a vital design feature, providing employees the opportunity to successfully manage and operate the control center from an enclosed, secure space during a time of crisis. Kitchen and bathroom amenities will allow employees to remain on site during inclement weather and perform vital operations for as much as two weeks.

General Manager of Cable & Wireless, Mr. Timothy Adam, said Cable & Wireless' decision to build this new facility demonstrates the company's strong and ongoing commitment to the Cayman Islands and its confidence in the future. "Cable & Wireless has been an integral and important part of Cayman's past and will continue to be a key part of Cayman's future. Cable & Wireless is in a business that is very exposed to the risk of obsolescence, not only of technical equipment and facilities, but even buildings. Obsolescence means that from time to time we have to write-off assets that have not been fully depreciated; this in turn impacts our profitability. To be successful, Cable & Wireless must continue to invest in new infrastructure. However, we must be able to demonstrate to investors that our revenues and our profits can sustain such risks and also yield good returns on their investments."

Posted to the site on 17th February 2003