[New GPRS roaming service available in 70 countries.]

Cable & Wireless, the global telecommunications group, today (1 May 2001) launched its mobile data roaming service, Cable & Wireless GRX. This GPRS Roaming Exchange (GRX) service, with more extensive global reach than any competing service, enables mobile operators to offer users secure, high-speed wireless access to data services, such as email or corporate Intranet access, wherever they are in the world.

Just as users are accustomed to accessing GSM-enabled voice services when they travel abroad, GPRS Roaming will provide seamless, "always on" access to data services at speeds significantly higher than GSM. It will also give operators the opportunity to develop value-added subscriber services.

Cable & Wireless GRX, which is currently undergoing a trial with Vodafone across Europe, is one of the first commercial GRX services to be launched, and offers unparalleled global access. Global capability is becoming a key factor as a growing number of operators around the world are committing to GPRS technology, including leading North American operators. Cable & Wireless GRX, available in more than 70 countries worldwide, is one of only three GRXs to be qualified by the North American Alliance of the GSM Association to provide GPRS roaming in North America. Cable & Wireless is also in active discussions with other GRX carriers to establish interconnect agreements that will extend the reach of its GRX service and the number of operators that it can connect with.

"Cable & Wireless has used its expertise in IP infrastructure and services and established relationships with mobile operators worldwide to offer the most effective GRX service to operator customers," said Nick Jeffery, Executive Vice President, Markets Group, Cable & Wireless. "GPRS, and eventually 3G services, are set to make the anytime, anywhere mobile office a reality, and our IP interconnect services will be a crucial element of this development."

Cable & Wireless GRX uses a dedicated, global Internet protocol-based (IP) network to interconnect GPRS wireless networks worldwide, as they are rolled out. This will allow mobile operators to exchange data traffic without having to establish costly point-to-point data links with each of their roaming partners. Cable & Wireless' network can also be migrated to support 3G services, when these become available.

Cable & Wireless GRX builds on Cable & Wireless' existing mobile carrier services portfolio and leading presence in this market. Cable & Wireless was the first carrier to establish a dedicated mobile carrier services division, and the company maintains commercial relationships with over 35 mobile operators -- more than any other carrier.

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