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PrimeTel project finally looks set to be completed(Cyprus Mail Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Author: Bejay Browne THE MULTI-MILLION PrimeTel project to install next generation fibre optic telecommunications cables in Cyprus finally looks set to go ahead after a decision to move the controversial landing station to another location. After being refused a licence from the Yeroskipou local council to build a landing station by last year the fibre optics project, which will cost billions. ground to a halt. There are only three areas designated suitable for landing stations by the government for the installation of sea cables in Cyprus. The one for the Paphos region is in Yeroskipou. Theodoros Loucaides, the outside plant network manager of PrimeTel said: "We have had long delays with the project and the matter is now going to court. But these things can take time. We had to find a solution to the problem as we are contracted with reliance Globalcom to deliver the project. We were obliged to move to a different location, as we will incur penalties for the delays in the project. I found the solution in a different location." The 'Hawk' fibre-optic landing station is part of a global project, which would upgrade the telecommunications abilities of Cyprus. Locals and landowners in Yeroskipou vehemently protested against the plans, citing health reasons and land devaluation. PrimeTel says fibre- optics don't pose a health hazard. Work stopped after the Yeroskipou municipality finally refused a building permit. Four Yeroskipou council members have relatives with land situated next to the proposed site. The Interior Ministry had sent a letter to the council, asking them to reconsider and re examine the issue. But, the municipality stood firm and when PrimeTel realised the legal battle could take months, or even years, they had to find an alternative. "Now all of the procedures are being followed, in line with the law. We have applied to install a cables point at the beach where the cables from the sea had been previously landed," said Loucaides. The new area is an industrial part of Ayia Varvara in Yeroskipou. "It's quite a distance from the original site and will cost a lot more," he added. Loucaides said there are new legal procedures that have to be followed to secure a right of way for the plans. One of these authorities is Yeroskipou municipality. "They have approved it and granted us a licence," he said. Further permission is being sought from services, utilities and governmental organisations. "We are collecting them now,' said Loucaides. "It's a standard procedure and we don't anticipate any problems." "Work will commence as soon as is viable depending on the weather, but certainly within a couple of months and the project will be completed in 2010," he said. According to Loucaides the 'Hawk' fibre optic cable is part of the worlds biggest submarine fibre-optic cable network around the globe. PrimeTel are the landing partner of Reliance Globalcom who is based in India. "It's the next generation fibre optic network and it will connect all the countries communications," Loucaides said. He said the project had, "tremendous capacity to improve telecommunications between nations." "A s people need more bandwidth, they will certainly need this system to support all of the required applications," he said. (c) 2009 Cyprus Mail Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |