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Press Release -- September 7th, 2011
Source: Cable & Wireless Worldwide
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Cable&Wireless Worldwide signs government secure intranet convergence framework to enable the public service network

  • C&W Worldwide awarded Public Service Network (PSN) framework agreement for secure pan-government hosting, applications and intranet services
  • A shared platform and interconnectivity via PSN to 400 local authorities, more than 180 central government bodies, 43 police forces and the health community
  • C&W Worldwide hosted Applications Resource Centre (ARC) will also give small and medium IT enterprises access to sell applications for shared services across the UK Government

7 September 2011: Cable&Wireless Worldwide has signed a two year framework agreement, with an option to extend up to a further two years, to provide the UK Government with a highly secure, dedicated pan-government directory and portal that will transform communications between central government, local government, the NHS and Police. It will play an important role in the modernisation of public services by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day interactions with citizens and businesses. This contract builds on the close partnership the company has established with the UK Government in developing the PSN. The transition to the GSi Convergence Framework is scheduled to complete in February 2012, and includes improved security applications and increased bandwidth for less cost.

The services under the framework agreement include: Email, applications, web hosting, security, data and information/knowledge sharing services, including a portal and remote presentation services.

Expected to carry over 100 million emails per month, the GSi Convergence Framework is an evolution of the current GSi that C&W Worldwide provides and will enable increased collaboration and information sharing among the UK’s six million public sector workers. A dedicated portal for all Government will be available, with a central intranet landing page and the first universal contact list for civil servants. In addition, C&W Worldwide will host an applications resource centre called ARC, which will also be accessible for the first time to small and medium IT enterprise application suppliers for shared services.

Kenny Robertson, PSN Delivery Director, commented: “We are delighted to have signed this landmark deal with Cable&Wireless Worldwide. For us, this is about creating a secure, inclusive, efficient and cost effective framework that maintains business continuity for GSI customers and converges communications across government to PSN. We are looking forward to working with Cable&Wireless Worldwide to enhance the services we offer, and drive value for money as more government departments and local authorities come on board.”

Chris Chant, Executive Director Cabinet Office added: “I am optimistic about the future and how PSN will enable us to deliver better IT services for a massive reduction in end cost to government and I think we can make a huge contribution in doing that through cloud services. I see the assets supporting this framework offering an environment suitable for hosting cloud applications through ARC; it offers a procurement route and the security around apps without customers having to provide capital upfront for a service. Cable&Wireless Worldwide really gets what is required.”

Brian Woodford, Managing Director, Public Sector, Cable&Wireless Worldwide, said: “With our extensive, highly resilient and secure network, we’re the natural partner for the UK Government, and this groundbreaking framework agreement is a further milestone in our collaboration with them. We look forward to working more closely with the Government to deliver additional services over the Public Service Network as it looks to implement its ICT strategy and transform communications across Government.”

~ends~

Contacts:

Cable&Wireless Worldwide:

Natalie Easson
Senior PR Manager
+44 (0)7717 427 418

Katie Dove
Head of UK PR
+44 (0)7733 392 514

Press Office
+44 (0)1344 818 888

Investor Releations
+44 (0)208 243 4700

About GSi Convergence Framework

The GSi Convergence Framework is an exclusive, single supplier, framework agreement through which only selected secure, critical communications propositions can be purchased. Customers will be able to choose their access network provider as mandated by PSN. It retains our position as a primary secure-ISP for Government and puts us amongst the forefront of PSN.

About Cable&Wireless Worldwide

Cable&Wireless Worldwide (LSE: CW.) is one of the world’s leading mission critical communications providers, delivering a range of high quality managed voice, data and Internet Protocol (IP) based services and applications to large multinational companies, governments, carrier customers and resellers across the UK, Asia Pacific, India, Middle East & Africa, Continental Europe and North America.

Reaching 20,500km in length, Cable&Wireless Worldwide owns the UK’s largest fibre network dedicated to business users of telecoms, and provides ubiquitous nationwide access through a combination of fibre, digital, microwave, radio and leased circuits. The network has presence in over 400 towns and cities in the UK, with 804 unbundled exchanges covering 55% of the population.

Internationally, Cable&Wireless Worldwide’s global next-generation network (NGN) stretches to more than 500,000km, including interests in 69 global cable systems, and provides connectivity to 153 countries. The Group’s IP-based Multi-Service Platform, operates across the NGN, offering a single environment on which voice and data applications can be converged to drive business efficiencies. Cable&Wireless Worldwide’s network is uniquely designed with inbuilt resilience and the capability to re-route traffic in the event of failure of one or more paths, particularly at the international level.

With more than 6,200 colleagues globally, Cable&Wireless Worldwide is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and developing long term partnerships with its customers.

To find out more, visit www.cw.com

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