Cable&Wireless equip police on patrol with mobile information solution

* Cable&Wireless to offer an integrated mobile information solution to UK police forces
* Innovative solution available off-the-shelf without the need for competitive tender processes
* Handheld computers to help police spend more time on patrol and less time on paperwork

New Delhi, 1 August 2008: Cable&Wireless today announces it has signed a three year framework agreement with the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to offer an integrated, managed, mobile information solution for use by police forces across the UK, to equip officers with instant information when out on patrol.

Under the agreement, Cable&Wireless will offer police forces an off-the-shelf managed solution, which includes software and hardware. The solution works by interfacing with force systems and applications, giving police officers access to vital information while they are out on the beat. The solution runs on handheld computers and works as a functional mobile computer unit.

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As well as accessing and verifying information using the mobile information units, police officers can input and update information – such as criminal record checks – via their mobile computers. Officers out on the beat will now have access to core operational systems, reducing the amount of time they spend at the station completing lengthy administration duties.

The solution also allows for greater economies of scale as police forces can save money when purchasing multiple mobile information solutions. The acceleration package is available through the existing PNN3 framework, meaning that forces will not need to spend time and money on new competitive tender processes.

The Prime Minister announced last year that at least 10,000 handheld computers would be made available to the police and operational by September this year. The Home Office responded by providing £50 million capital investment for the NPIA to support police services in delivering this pledge. More recently, an additional £25 million has been provided by government, allowing for a further 15,000 handheld computers to be used by police by March 2010. This will take the total up to around 30,000 devices.

Cable&Wireless has significant expertise in managing secure, joined up services for the police and other criminal justice organisations in the UK. It has managed the communications network for the PNN (Police National Network) Framework Arrangement since its inception in the early 1990’s, offering managed voice, data, video, internet and hosting services to all police forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as more than 100 organisations in the wider criminal justice community.

Jim Marsh, Chief Executive Officer, Cable&Wireless said: “This contract is an extension to the services we already provide to police forces in the UK and we’re proud to continue providing innovative new solutions to police on the beat. Customer service is our number one priority, and the agreement we’ve signed with the NPIA could revolutionise the way police work. Our mobile information solution fully meets the current requirements of the Police Service and is available to police forces today.”

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Notes To Editors

PNN Framework Arrangement

The current PNN Framework Arrangement (PNN3) is an exclusive framework arrangement to offer a range of voice, secure data and other services to police forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The arrangement is designed to increase communication within the criminal justice community, across the police service and beyond. It’s about increasing security, enhancing functionality and flexibility, together with decreasing costs.

PNN3 supports one of the key recommendations of the Bichard Inquiry and allows Cable&Wireless to deliver an effective, collaborative and integrated national, regional and local information-sharing and intelligence capability.

About the NPIA

The NPIA is a single national organisation created to support effective policing. It provides expertise in areas as diverse as information and communications technology, support to information and intelligence sharing, core police processes, managing change and recruiting, developing and deploying people.

The organisation’s creation in April 2007 streamlined and simplified the way that policing improvement is delivered locally and nationally. NPIA works for the police service and is governed by a tripartite board comprising ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers), APA (Association of Police Authorities), Home Office and independent members. The ACPO President is a member of the NPIA Board.

About Mobile Information

The Prime Minister announced in September 2007 that 10,000 handheld computers would be operational within 12 months. The Home Office responded by providing £50 million capital investment for the NPIA to support police service in delivering this pledge.

Forces were asked to apply for a portion of the £50 million, detailing how they would deliver mobile devices to their area. The announcement on 26 May 2008 allocated the £50 million phase 1 funding to successful applicant forces. A further £25 million has recently been made available, allowing for 15,000 handheld computers to be used by police foces by March 2010, taking the total to around 30,000.

The NPIA assessed the applications and presented the findings to the Mobile Information Programme Board who made the final decision. Policing Minister, Tony McNulty noted the recommended approach presented by the programme board to deliver the Prime Minister’s pledge by September 2008. The board’s membership is drawn from ACPO, ACPOS, APA, Home Office, NPIA and the Police Federation.

Some of the themes highlighted in Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s review, include:

· Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy in business processes by managing information better

· Increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the police service

· Increasing the presence of the police service in the community

About Cable&Wireless

Cable&Wireless is one of the world’s leading international communications companies. It operates through two-standalone business unit’s ­­– 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 39 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 www.cw.com

Contacts:

CABLE & WIRELESS

Sonia Panchal

PR Manager

+44 (0)7825 862 860

Natalie Easson

PR Executive

+44 (0)7717 427 418

C&W Press Office

+44 (0)1344 818 888

Media Contact:

Priyangshu Dutta, R&PM: Edelman

Tel: +91 9818044248 Email: priyangshu.dutta {at} edelman(.)com