Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd. Selected as Sole Supplier
20.04.1999, 17:54
for Worldwide Fiber Inc. / $630 Million Dollar Transatlantic
Cable Project Hibernia
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (PROTEXT) - Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd.
(TSSL) announced today that Worldwide Fiber Inc. (WFI) had
selected TSSL as the sole supplier for their transatlantic cable
project called "Hibernia." A funded "instruction to proceed"
(ITP) has been executed, and a final contract is now being
completed. This supply contract will have an initial value of
$630 million US dollars. Hibernia intends to have landing points
in Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England and the United States. The
undersea cable system will be installed by TSSL, and Hibernia
will be the first transatlantic subsea ring network structure in
service, utilizing 32 wavelengths at 10 Gb/s per fiber pair.
Hibernia will have a planned wet plant ready capacity on each
segment of 1.28 terabits/sec.
Hibernia will be a 12,200 kilometer undersea cable system
which will utilize the most advanced Dense Wave Division
Multiplexing (DWDM) fiber optic technology available. Hibernia
System is planned for completion in January 2001. As a self-
healing SDH ring network, Hibernia will offer initial capacity of
160 Gb/s on each segment, and can be upgraded to a final capacity
of 1.28 Tb/s on each segment using DWDM technology on each fiber
pair. The undersea plant will utilize a 4-fiber pair, state of
the art, repeatered system technology.
Worldwide Fiber, Inc. is a facilities based provider of
technologically advanced, high-bandwidth fiber optic
communications infrastructure in North America. Over the last 12
years WFI has designed, engineered, developed and constructed
communication networks first as the Ledcor Industries Ltd.
telecommunications division and, since May 1998, as a separate
subsidiary.
WFI is currently developing an 11,000-mile North American
fiber optic communications infrastructure (2,700 miles existing),
and expects to complete an additional 4,500 route miles in 1999.
The Company and its subsidiaries, including Worldwide Fiber
Networks Inc. of Denver, Colorado, are building the Network to
meet the facilities requirements of communications carriers,
Internet service providers, and corporations with enterprise
network needs and to satisfy the increasing demand generated by
high-bandwidth data, voice and video communications. Hibernia
will now provide to WFI's customer, European connectivity by
transoceanic, subsea fiber optic networks.
"We are extremely pleased to be selected as WFI's supplier for
this transatlantic subsea telecommunication fiber optic network.
Worldwide Fiber is a clear example of the next generation of
successful businesses with vision and the commitment to provide
their customers with true global connectivity" stated Neil Garvey
President of TSSL. He continued, "WFI is a dynamic corporate
entity with professionals covering the full range of expertise
required to develop a successful global network. We truly look
forward to working closely with them on Hibernia and in the
future."
Due to the importance of time to market, WFI concluded the ITP
to facilitate the delivery of its transatlantic capability by
early 2001. During the next 60 days WFI expects to conclude a
Supply Agreement with TSSL. During this period WFI also
anticipates concluding; definitive agreements with equity
participants in North America and Europe; agreements reference an
operating relationship with a backhaul provider in Europe, and
initial commitments for project finance for its transatlantic
development.
Larry Olsen, Vice Chairman and CFO of WFI stated, "This
transatlantic project represents an important step for WFI as we
continue to develop fiber optic networks and extend the reach and
connectivity of these networks for both our customers, our co-
development partners, and our own retained capacity." Worldwide
Fiber selected TSSL after a comprehensive assessment of suppliers
led by the WFI marine division.
Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyco
International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC), is an independent supplier of
undersea communications systems and services. TSSL owns and
operates a fleet of world class cable ships for the installation
and maintenance of undersea communication network systems.
Leading edge fiber optic technology is provided by the
internationally distinguished TSSL Labs located in Eatontown, New
Jersey. The completely integrated manufacturing capabilities of
TSSL are highlighted by cable, repeater and transmission
equipment manufacturing facilities located in New Hampshire, New
Jersey and Virginia. TSSL has combined these capabilities to
successfully complete 85 undersea fiber optic networks, in excess
of 350,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable connecting over 100
countries. For more information on TSSL or Tyco International
please visit the websites listed below:
Tyco International Ltd.: http://www.tycoint.com
Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd.: http://www.submarinesystems.com
ots Original Text Service: Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd. Internet:
http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Jim Brennan, Global Marketing
Managing Director of Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd.,
jbrennan@submarinesystems.com, or 973-656-8124 Web site:
http://www.tycoint.com Web site: http://www.submarinesystems.com
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