Tyco Networks Bahamas

MORRISTOWN, N.J. -- Tyco Telecommunications, a leading supplier of undersea fiber optic networks and marine services, announced that it has begun network construction under the terms of a multi-million dollar turnkey contract with Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTC), for the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network (BDSNi). The system will link the Bahamian islands of Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Ragged Island, Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Cat Island, Abaco, and Grand Bahama in a self healing ring architecture.

Under the terms of the contract, Tyco Telecommunications will supply all aspects of the project including network design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and testing. The high-capacity, next generation repeaterless undersea fiber optic cable system is more than 2,800 km in length and capable of carrying up to 1.92 Tb/s of transmission capacity when fully upgraded. The system will be deployed in two phases, with the western half of the ring planned for initial service at the end of 2005, and the eastern half ready for service in mid 2006. BDSNi is designed to satisfy the increasing demands for voice, data and Internet bandwidth and the accelerating use of broadband services in the Bahamas.

According to Leon Williams, acting president and chief executive officer, BTC, “BTC’s vision is to bring high-speed communications technology to our major islands. Tyco Telecommunications’ turnkey undersea system solution based on industry leading technology is key to realizing our goal. Upon completion of the project, businesses and consumers in Bahamas will be able to take advantage of the leading edge of voice, data and Internet technologies.”

“Our ability to rapidly deliver a turnkey undersea solution enables BTC to provide their customers with the benefits of a high capacity network infrastructure, and directly facilitates connectivity to their international gateways,” said Michael Rieger, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Tyco Telecommunications. “The unique geography of the Bahamas archipelago presents significant opportunities and challenges for the development of critical network infrastructure, and Tyco Telecommunications is committed to developing innovative solutions to support the unique needs of regional projects like BSDNi.”

Tyco Telecommunications