INL's MPLS network currently has 95% coverage of the island's business market, and was built by the company at a cost of over US$3 million with equipment manufactured by Cisco Systems--pioneers of the MPLS technology and the world's leading developer of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies.

The Internet Protocol (IP) MPLS technology is fast becoming popular with multi-national businesses because of the capability it gives businesses to provide new services in e-commerce, while decreasing operating expenses and facilitating fast and economical communication between branches regardless of geographic location.

Island Networks' Chief Executive Officer Andrew Massias, says INL has achieved what other telecommunications companies in the region have aspired to do but had not succeeded thus far.

"What we have done is to bring you tomorrow's technology today and what makes it even more special is that a Jamaican company, owned by Jamaicans, is the first to bring to the region, this world class technology", he said.

Mr. Massias noted that INL's network is fully "carrier class" meaning that it is designed specifically to meet the capacity, performance, scalability and network management requirements for different mixtures of traffic, including voice, video and data services.

"This technology has enabled Island Networks to provide true quality of service (QoS) in wireless telecommunications to include teleconferencing, domestic and international calling, video telephony, on and off island disaster recovery transport, virtual private data networking and "always on" high speed Internet, he explained.

Mr. Massias pointed out that this achievement has provided positive implications for corporate Jamaica and by extension the Caribbean, as multi-location businesses such as financial institutions, supermarket chains, hotels and academic institutions can use the network for inter and intra branch calling, video conferencing and to access data from any of their office locations island-wide at any time using BRANCHconnect® - a special service designed by INL, to facilitate fast communication between multi-location businesses.

"Some of Jamaica's top blue chip companies are already benefiting from the services provided by our network and with 95% coverage of the island at present, we are very close to another important goal, which is to "complete" the communications highway that connects Jamaican businesses.  With this MPLS technology, CEOs can run their local and overseas companies from the boardroom and make or receive extension calls to and from anywhere in the world at no additional cost", Mr. Massias said.

Commenting on competition from other telecoms companies in the local market and plans by Cable & Wireless to deploy its own MPLS network in the near future, Mr. Massias said "Competition is a very good thing, it's good for consumers-- they get more choices and it's good for businesses, it keeps us on our toes in terms of providing the consumer with quality products and services and value for money.  What should be clarified though is that INL's core business is not Internet services.  INL typically includes Internet services into the business packages but focus on the important mission critical data services that are delivered entirely through its carrier class MPLS network.  This focus bundled with other business solutions is clearly what differentiates INL in the market.  We have been in the market less than two years and as you can see from the build-out of this MPLS network, what we've accomplished within those two years is no small feat.  I'd say we are quiet achievers.  Currently our main competitor is Cable & Wireless and we've always enjoyed a very good relationship with them and look forward to having a similar relationship with new entrants in the market.  Whatever we do is not only for us but for Jamaica and I think Jamaica is already setting high standards in the Caribbean in terms of wireless technology," he said.

Mr. Massias, disclosed that Island Networks, which began operations in Jamaica in March 2004, has already begun its Caribbean expansion with the opening of its Puerto Rico office and deployment of data services in San Juan.  "We are now looking to take our services to at least two other Caribbean islands by the middle of this year," he said.  In this regard, he said INL has positioned itself as a multi-faceted telecommunications, e-commerce driven entity that will play a significant role in developing e-commerce and electronic transaction systems throughout the Caribbean".