Cable & Wireless invests for the future   By Sunny Esparon |22 August 2023

Cable & Wireless chief executive George D’Offay (left) and Mr Khan (Photo: Sunny Esparon)

Cable & Wireless has launched an expansive investment initiative, channeling a substantial R1.1 billion into a range of strategic projects aimed at elevating its services and infrastructure. Among the key developments, a cutting-edge data centre, a revamped billing platform, and modernised infrastructure take the spotlight.

This significant amount was budgeted as from the working year 2023, but began implementation toward the end of 2022, and is a major component of the telecommunications provider’s capital expenditure (CAPEX). This is part of the company’s five-year plan which was approved by the Cable & Wireless board of directors.

Notably, the company emphasised that these enhancements will be carried out with minimal regional service interruptions, and customers will be promptly notified of any disruptions.

Speaking at a press conference at the Cable & Wireless headquarters, Georges D’Offay, chief executive (CEO) of Cable & Wireless, emphasised the significance of putting customers at the centre of these investments.

"In every project and every investment that we do, we do it with the customer at the forefront of all our development," stated Mr D’Offay.

The most significant among these projects is the overhaul of the billing platform, an endeavor costing approximately 15 million pounds. "All our clients will be really proud of what we are bringing for them," Mr D'Offay assured, noting that the project began last year and is set to conclude by September.

Another high-profile investment involves the establishment of a new data centre, entailing an investment of US $3 million. The data centre is slated for completion by November, representing a significant milestone for Seychelles and it will be located at Bon Espoir, meaning that it will be away from any interactions with civilians and away from natural hazards such as tsunamis.

Mr D'Offay explained: "This will be a proper data centre and it will be the first time this happens in the history of Seychelles."

Significant strides in the country's internet services also loom on the horizon. Transitioning from copper wires to fiber to the home (FFTH), commonly known as fiber-optics, ensures seamless service delivery for all users, irrespective of their location. Mr D'Offay emphasised that the project began on La Digue and has since expanded; now fully covering Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The cumulative investment for this initiative has surpassed R10 million.

Cable & Wireless’ introduction of new unlimited packages has garnered remarkable success, generating enthusiastic feedback from customers. "Everywhere you go, all you hear is people are switching over to Cable & Wireless," Mr D'Offay observed.

Enhancing mobile coverage is another crucial investment. The strategic addition of antennas in areas like Glacis, Persévérance, Roche Caïman, Copolia, La Misère, Sans Soucis, Baie St. Anne on Praslin, and others aims to curtail call drops.

Mr D'Offay also underscored the company's exclusive status as the sole provider of 5G services in Seychelles.

He noted: "Furthermore, Cable & Wireless is the only company in Seychelles that has 5G, and we are continuously bringing this everywhere in Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue."

Recognising the pivotal role of customer experience, Cable & Wireless has allocated resources to enhance this aspect. Proximity is key, as cable centres are located closer to clients, ensuring quality service accessibility without the need to travel to town. "The message is that they do not have to come to town, go to your local centre, and you will receive the same quality service," Mr D'Offay emphasised.

In a surprising move, employees stand to gain from the investment as well, through comprehensive training programmes aimed at cultivating new leadership talent.

Mr D'Offay emphasised that research and development play a vital role in staying aligned with technological advancements. "To stay in line with the constant development of technology, we need to spend to know how to come up with innovations for the clients and stay updated on what is happening in the world outside," he explained.

Mr D'Offay reiterated that these investments position Cable& Wireless at the forefront, enabling the delivery of high-quality and affordable services to clients, outpacing competitors.

Shoaib Khan, chief technology officer, highlighted that the R1.1 billion investment will bolster the network, enabling superior services in Seychelles. The allocation will support the development of the new data centre, enhancing existing infrastructures, and introducing customer-driven innovations at an affordable price point.

“These implementations and improvements will allow us to achieve one of our strategic pillars of keeping customers at the heart of innovation and ensure that they have a better customer experience and value-for-money services,” said Mr Khan.

He emphasised that the data centre is a pivotal component, and improvements in the 2G network and the rollout of 5G are set to elevate data services significantly.

In the innovation realm, Mr Khan revealed upcoming product launches and collaboration with a focus group to refine offerings based on customer needs.

The company acknowledges that, as enhancements are undertaken, minor disruptions may occur, with due communication to customers. "We are sorry for these interruptions but this is something that we have to go with, and without these interruptions, we would not be able to bring these enhancements to our network," Mr Khan concluded.