GSM Test Calls Made in Jamaica

Cable & Wireless Jamaica says that it has completed the first test call on its new GSM/GPRS mobile network. The test call is the latest of a series of preparatory tests on the network that have all been successful. The company is currently overlaying a GSM network over its existing TDMA service

Commenting on this development, Cable & Wireless Jamaica President Gary Barrow said: "This will be the most sophisticated state of the art mobile network in Jamaica. We will bring unparallel service capability and the most advanced features to our customers. We have some very exciting plans for our service offerings here in Jamaica. This is a critical and strategic investment for us as we vow to maintain our leadership position as the provider of the latest and best telecoms service in Jamaica."

Errald Miller, CEO CWWI, said "This state-of the art network will give us an added advantage in delivering the most cost-effective, feature-rich mobile service across the Caribbean. Our platform will be 3G ready and will provide great flexibility for providing the most advanced voice and mobile data services including e-business type applications and "always on internet".

In November, last year, Cable & Wireless (West Indies) announced its partnership with Nortel Networks to build the GSM/GPRS network as a cost of over US$100-million. "Nortel's experience in deploying mobile networks across all major access technologies and spectrums, combined with their expertise in IP core networking, gives them a big advantage in delivering the most cost-effective and efficient mobile solutions available today", said Thomas Perez-Ducy, Executive Vice President for C&W Mobile operations across the Caribbean. "We are very pleased with their performance to date and we are fully on track for a commercial launch in the first quarter of our financial year."

Posted to the site on 31st March 2003