Cable&Wireless goes for growth in india

New Delhi, 19th February 2008 – Cable&Wireless announced today that it’s been awarded international long distance and national long distance licences by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. These licences enable Cable&Wireless through its joint venture company with the owners of Indian conglomerate TTK Group – Cable&Wireless Networks India – to offer services for the first time directly to customers in India.

The licences mark a further step in Cable&Wireless’ fast expanding global presence and underpin its intention to be the first customer-defined communications services business.

Cable&Wireless’ roll out of its next generation network (NGN) across the country will provide multinational and local customers in India the benefits of improved reliability, availability and performance, along with high quality managed IP services, which together, will set new standards for customers’ service experience.

Cable&Wireless is investing significantly in the new network, which will form part of the Cable&Wireless core backbone allowing connectivity to its comprehensive global network across Asia Pac, Europe and North America.

Jim Marsh, CEO, Cable&Wireless Europe, Asia and US said: “For Cable&Wireless, 2008 is all about delivering even greater levels of service to our global customers. India is booming and these licences will enable us to roll out one of the most advanced NGNs yet to be seen in this region. This will serve both our customers that need to do business in India, and also Indian companies who need to reach out to the rest of the international business community.”

Sunanda Das, Managing Director for India, Cable&Wireless added: “The licences will enable us to offer end-to-end services to run business critical customer applications on our network and extend our service offering in India. These developments highlight our strong expectations for the Indian market and build on our commitment towards a great customer experience in this region.”

Mr T T Jagannathan at TTK commenting on the joint venture said: “The telecoms sector in India is growing at such a rapid pace, we want to make sure we are a part of this growth journey. Cable&Wireless fits our business partner criteria in terms of expertise and more importantly, its customer centric approach matches our culture and values.”

Cable&Wireless now supports over 200 multinational and Indian customers, with service coverage across key cities in India and is a dominant player in managed connectivity services. The new network will have multiple levels of transmission and cable redundancies to ensure seamless business continuity to its customers.

About TTK Group

Established by TT Krishnamachari in 1928, the group started out as an indenting house (importing and distributing foreign goods) and became a distributor of several popular consumer products with world renowned brand names like Woodwards, Cadburys, Lever, Ovaltine, Pond’s, Kelloggs, Brylcreem, Beecham, Waterman’s, Shaeffers, Sunlight and many more.

The TTK Group evolved from a trading concern to a manufacturing outfit in the ’50s under the guidance of its former Chairman, TT Narasimhan. Ever the visionary, he pioneered the manufacture of pressure cookers and condoms in the country. He made the company a force to be reckoned with, by setting up numerous medium and small units, to manufacture products that helped make life easier for millions of homes in India.

The TTK Group is a multi-product, multi-unit, multi-locational conglomerate with a turnover in excess of Rs 5,000 million. It has a workforce of nearly 7,000 in its manufacturing units and nationwide branches. TT Jagannathan, Chairman and Managing Director now head the group.

The Group as it stands today, is a strong international player. The Company exports goods worth several millions to over 40 countries. It has also successfully undertaken turnkey projects in Vietnam, Bangladesh and Uganda.

The Group comprises the following companies:

* TTK Prestige Limited
* TTK Textiles Limited
* Sara Lee TTK Limited
* TTK Bharat Planet – NRI Services
* TTK Healthcare Limited
* TTK-LIG Limited
* TTK Maersk Medical Limited

About Cable&Wireless

Cable&Wireless is one of the world’s leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units – Europe, Asia & US and International.

The Europe, Asia & US business unit (formerly known as the “UK” business) provides enterprise and carrier solutions to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia, and wholesale broadband services in the UK. With experience of delivering connectivity to 153 countries – and an intention to be the first customer-defined communications services business – the focus is on delivering customers a service experience that is second to none.

The International business unit operates integrated telecommunications companies in 33 countries offering mobile, broadband, domestic and international fixed line services to residential and business customers, with principal operations in the Caribbean, Panama, Macau, Monaco and the Channel Islands.

For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com

For any queries or clarifications, please contact:

Puneet Khunger
R&PM:Edelman
318, Naurang House, K.G.Marg,
New Delhi- 110 001, India
Tel: +91 (11) 2332 0116 Extn. 15

Fax: +91 (11) 2332 0062

Mobile: +91 98101 91409

Email: puneet.khunger {at} edelman(.)com