Information Bulletin
16 January 2006
Foroya Tele Signs Contract to Deliver Quality Telecommunications Link into Shetland
Shetland is welcoming the news that Foroya Tele (Faroese Telecom) and their preferred cable supplier signed contracts yesterday (15th January) in Faroe to deliver improved telecommunications links through fibre optic cable into Shetland.
A first for Shetland, this agreement will allow us to access high quality digital communications rather than depending on communicating via a microwave link, which has limited speed, capacity and reliability. Foroya Tele and Shetland Islands Council have worked closely together over the last year to enable this fantastic opportunity to be routed through Shetland.
The Fibre optic cable is being routed from Faroe through to Shetland, where it will enter at Maywick and exit from Sandwick. The cable will then go through Orkney and onwards to Banff on the Scottish mainland.
The investment is being made by Foroya Tele to secure international connections for the Faroese markets; meanwhile it will give local businesses in Shetland and Orkney the opportunity to access a high quality communications link. The link is due to be operational in October this year.
Foroya Tele, CEO, Kristian Davidsen said, “We look forward to cooperating with the Shetland people and exploring the fantastic possibilities that the SHEFA-2 submarine cable is going to provide.”
Convener of the Shetland Islands Council, Sandy Cluness welcomed the news that Shetland would now have the opportunity to access high quality communications links and said, “ It is vital for Shetland to establish and maintain excellent communication links with the mainland. This link will be a great boost for the local business community, in particular those who rely on e-commerce and this link ensures that we have the opportunity to access first-class technology links.”
Further cooperation with Faroese businesses such as Foroya Tele strengthens the portfolio of business links, which have been flourishing over the last decade between Shetland and Faroe.
Ends ……
Notes to Editor- Foroya Tele
Faroese Telecom operates an extensive telecommunications network and offers a diverse range of fixed and mobile telecom services to both private and commercial customers. Faroese Telecom is part-owner of the new FARICE undersea cable that links Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland. In addition, Faroese Telecom, via its wholly owned subsidiary, P/F Televarpið, deployed a digital terrestrial television system and now broadcasts a wide variety of TV channels to nearly all of the Faroe Islands. (Please visit www.ft.fo)