BVI choice for GSM network

My February blogpost 'British Virgin Islands IBCs should become "faster" after telecom reform' mentioned the company Cable & Wireless in regard with telecommunication reform and large bills that BVI residents used to face. This post, however, is to mention the same Cable & Wireless (CW.L) in regard with its choice for GSM network in the British Virgin Islands.

Cable & Wireless has made the choice in favour of Nokia (NOK) that is expected to supply and deploy a GSM network in the BVI. Nokia already supplies GSM and WCDMA 3G radio and core networks to Cable & Wireless in the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey, so, the BVI is to follow.

Cable & Wireless operates through International and UK business units. Its International unit operates integrated telecommunications companies in 33 countries and offers mobile, broadband, domestic and international fixed line services to Cable & Wireless (C&W)customers in the Caribbean, Channel Islands, Panama, Macau and Monaco. Its UK unit, in its turn, provides enterprise and carrier solutions to large users of telecommunications services throughout the UK, the US, continental Europe and Asia, as well as consumer and small business broadband services in the UK.

In September 2000, Cable & Wireless and the BVI government agreed on telecoms strategy in the BVI that the license will not be prolonged when a 40-year monopoly expires in 2007. This confirms that the BVI telecoms sector is a subject to change and develop. Choosing Nokia for GSM network is just one step in this process that C&W makes to be ready for the future competition.