C&W Worldwide seals £50m extension to city deal

CABLE & Wireless Worldwide yesterday secured a £50 million extension to its contract with Access, the joint venture set up by Glasgow City Council and the outsourcing specialist Serco. The eight-year deal covers all communications infrastructure for more than 300 council premises throughout the city and some 27,000 staff.

Part of the contract allows the council's social services department to offer training and high-speed internet access to residents at museums, libraries and other facilities.

C&W Worldwide also provides free home internet access to some children with disabilities under the deal.

Joe Boyle, chief operating officer at Access, said: "C&W Worldwide has become an extension of our own ICT team. Its network and services underpins everything we do from sending e-mails to receiving calls and keeping our mobile colleagues connected.

"The continued high-quality service we receive from C&W Worldwide means we're able to provide the best levels of service to the Glasgow community."

C&W Worldwide was created in March following its de-merger from C&W Wireless Communications. The worldwide arm has worked with the council since 2004 and Access since it was created in 2008.