NEWS INTERNATIONAL


News update


ESB eyes Irish super-fast network


Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is planning to build a superfast fibre network, and is currently looking for a partner for the initiative. ESB is aiming to connect


nearly half a million homes in the first phase of the development, mainly in towns outside the main metropolitan areas of Dublin and Cork and at speeds of up to 150Mbps. The Irish Times newspaper


reports that Vodafone and BT are interested in collaborating in the project, which could start in the early part of next year, but both firms have declined to comment on the matter. However, an ESP


spokesperson told Fibre Systems: ‘The process to select a JV partner for ESB’s fibre project is ongoing and will hopefully be concluded by the end of the year, following a tender note that was issued in 2012. However, we are unable to comment further as the project is ongoing and under due process.’


All eyes are on New Zealand, which is to benefit from a second underwater fibre


optic link to the world following a US$350 million deal. An Australian company is already planning to buy capacity on the trans-Pacific system. The agreement between Hawaiki Cable and


Northland, the region covering New Zealand’s north island, will see the cable – which will connect the country to the United States, Australia, and several Pacific states – come ashore near the town of Whangarei, already an important link to the region as its most northern multi-purpose port. Hawaiki said the system, which has a design life


of 25 years and will include a cable-landing station, will be based on 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) wavelength technology and deliver more than 20 terabits per second (Tbps) of design capacity. The two partners say they expect it to lead to cheaper internet provision across New Zealand. Colin Mitten, chairman of the regional economic


development agency Northland Inc, said: ‘This memorandum of understanding has the potential to bring direct and indirect benefits worth millions. With the Hawaiki cable landing in Whangarei, we will be able to propose very competitive solutions for local and foreign investors, willing to benefit from our green power, ICT infrastructure, stable economy, climate and world class environment.’ Australia-based TPG Telecom has announced


its intention to buy fibre capacity on the Australia- US segment of the Hawaiki submarine cable system. As reported, the 14,000-km cable system


Pan-European link to serve 35 countries


Telekom Austria and the Dutch company KPN International have joined forces to create one of Europe’s largest fibre networks. The agreement doubles the joint footprint, with 173 points of presence (PoP) in 35 countries, and offers a wide


range of backbone-based services for international wholesale carriers and large business customers. The deal encompasses the


interconnection of Ethernet, IP VPN, wavelength and IPT services to maximise large


4 FIBRE SYSTEMS Issue 1 • Autumn 2013


traffic and establish an increased presence in Europe. The network connection will be established in Frankfurt with a back-up in Vienna. The IP backbone connects the four most important Internet exchange points in Europe:


Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris. Stefan Amon, director of


wholesale at Telekom Austria Group, said: ‘I am really proud to announce this pan-European wholesale partnership with our two regionally complementary


infrastructures. I see an excellent operational fit.’ Jasper Snijder, managing director of KPN International, added: ‘I am happy to be working closely with Telekom Austria Group to help serve our customers in our region as well as globally’.


@fibresystemsmag | www.fibre-systems.com


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South sea adventure gets under way


Whangarei, where the cable will come ashore


will link Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii to the US west coast and is scheduled for completion in late 2015. TPG will acquire fibre capacity from Sydney to the USA, as well as on the Hawaiki trans-Tasman segment from Sydney to Whangarei in Northland, New Zealand. David Teoh, executive chairman of TPG, said:


‘With the continued growth in the TPG Group’s consumer broadband, corporate and wholesale businesses, international connectivity is an important component of TPG’s widespread telecommunications infrastructure. ‘Hawaiki has a team with considerable


experience in fibre cable systems and this project represents an excellent opportunity to give us a new high quality international link direct to the US, complementing existing international links.’ lKatia Moskvitch looks at underwater communication technologies on page 22


ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.com


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