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Federated States of Micronesia Telecommunications Corporation signs contract with Tyco Telecommunications to construct an international fiber optic connection

Kolonia, POHNPEI (FSM Telecom): February 6, 2009 - More than eight years in the planning, FSMTC has finally executed a contract with Tyco Telecommunications to construct an extension that will enable FSMTC to have international fiber connectivity to Guam. The extension will provide high bandwidth connectivity between the FSM and the rest of the world. The target date of completion is March 2010.

Using the latest undersea cable network technology, this connectivity will enable FSMTC to provide FSM with the same telecommunications access and services available in major countries and cities throughout the world. In particular, the extension will be comprised of a one fiber pair segment that will ultimately enable connectivity through another cable system back to Guam including access to multiple 10 Gbps wavelengths. Since Guam is a regional node, FSMTC will have a variety of onward connectivity options.

This extension represents phase one of FSMTC's submarine fiber cable network plans; the next phase being the development of a domestic inter island cable networks. However, all islands will be able to realize more reliable and expanded services such as improved voice calling and faster Internet as a result of the completion of phase one. Phase one marks the beginning of the deployment of modern submarine fiber networks that will serve government, commercial and private communities for many years to come.