Information Bulletin
Shetland Islands Council welcomes the arrival of key Telecom Cable infrastructure in Shetland
Shetland Islands Council welcomed the news yesterday that the new submarine fibre optic cable laid by Faroese Telecom beached in Sandwick. The SHEFA-2 cable, which connects the Faroe Islands to Shetland, Orkney and the UK mainland, will improve telecommunications for the remote island groups.
Vice Convener of Shetland Islands Council, Josie Simpson, said “We cannot underestimate the importance of high quality connectivity for business development in Shetland. This infrastructure is a vital first step towards providing faster and more reliable bandwith to users within our community. Excellent communications is key to making sure Shetland remains connected with our wider marketplace. High-speed telecommunications are now essential for modern life. This cable will provide the large bandwith required for our modern community to live and work.”
The main purpose of the new fibre optic cable is to secure the international connections for the Faroese market. The cable will also offer the possibility to improve the international connectivity and business opportunities for the societies in Orkney and Shetland. This cable is the first fiber link from the Scottish mainland to Orkney and Shetland and it gives potential access to a reliable and high-capacity telecom connection.
The CEO of Faroese Telecom, Kristian Davidsen says, “The SHEFA-2 fiber optic cable will improve the communication infrastructure in the Faroe Islands, Shetland and Orkney and will provide sufficient bandwidth capacity to the mainland for many years to come. I wish that the cable would clear the way for further economic development of these rather remote islands. We look forward to work with the people of Shetland and Orkney in exploring the possibilities that the SHEFA-2 submarine cable will provide, and we hope that this initiative will be well received by our fellow islanders in the south.”
Scottish Government Enterprise Minister Jim Mather says: "The completion of the first ever sub-sea, fibre link to the Northern Isles is great news for Scotland's telecoms landscape. I would encourage everyone involved to maximise the cable's potential, to ensure that all businesses and householders in Orkney and Shetland are able to reap the benefits."
The investment in SHEFA 2 amounts approximately €16.1 million, and the cable will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2008.
Media release ends…