The proposal was submitted to the Jamaican government by Jamaica Network Access Point (JNAP), a partner of TCCC which plans to serve several different users, TCCC stated in a release.  The proposal was generated on behalf of the Trans-Caribbean Cable Network (TCCCN) cable owner's consortium that is comprised of more than 35 telecom companies.  Many of its members, including AT&T (now Cingular), Gotel Communications, Oceanic Digital and Verizon have made significant investments in Jamaica and are now planning additional investments to provide connectivity for their continuing operations.

TCCCN Jamaica Cable proposes to provide high-speed connectivity from Jamaica via the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico where many competitive connectivity options to Miami already exist.

"This configuration ensures that Jamaica's newest undersea cable will not be dependent upon any private network operator for continuing connectivity to the U.S.," states Brian Crawford of TCCC.

OPEN INVESTMENT

The licence proposal is based on the open investment model which, unlike the 'club' cables, encourages the participation of all interested players and ensures non-discriminatory access to the network, The TCCC release stated.  Ultimately, the network itself will be owned by the consortium of users and not by one private entity.

Cable & Wireless maintains the only fibre-optic cable link to the island and this serves as the country's backbone for international data transfer.  Commerce, Science and Technology Minister Phillip Paul-well, during his May contribution to the 2004/2005 Sectoral Debate, announced in parliament that the Government was in the process of awarding a licence allowing for the laying of a competing international cable link.

FULL SUPPORT

Craig McBurnett, CEO of Oceanic Digital, is upbeat about the possibility of having a non-aligned network.

"We fully support the granting of a licence to any entity that will not compete with any of the voice, data or Internet service providers in the Jamaican telecommunications market place," Mr. McBurnett said.  "We absolutely want to see non-discriminatory access."

Such access would be provided in partnership with JNAP.  The project would include a terrestrial fibre network to connect the new Jamaican cable with the JNAP facility in New Kingston.  If this proposal is approved it will lead to a more competitive telecommunications market.

"Our partnership with TCCC will guarantee the ability for any Jamaican service provider to satisfy their bandwidth and access needs without interference from their competitors," said Mark Reid, chief operating officer of JNAP.

TCCC has more than 100 years experience in submarine cable planning, construction, operations and maintenance.

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