- Pacific’s newest international operator punches above its weight on international stage
- Scale, ambition and execution of Manatua Cable project recognised as world class by panels of industry experts
- Focus and dedication of local team highlighted by ACL’s Chair of the Board
RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS, 30 SEPTEMBER 2020:
Avaroa Cable Ltd, the government owned company responsible for the Cook Islands involvement in the Manatua One Polynesia Cable Project, announced today that it has been shortlisted for two prestigious global telecommunications industry awards.
The announcement follows the completion of the Manatua One Polynesia cable in July. Last month also saw the start-up network operator announce the first customers connected via the cable, on Aitutaki. This marked the first use of the high-speed fibre optic cable among the four nations that have collaborated on the Manatua Project.
And just last week ACL added the first international fibre cable connectivity to the Cook Islands via Tahiti to major internet hub Los Angeles, USA in a move widely seen as a major landmark in the nation’s development. The company only appointed its first employee, Chief Executive Officer Dr Ranulf Scarbrough, less than two years ago.
The Global Carrier Awards 2020, hosted by influential London based telecommunications industry commentators Capacity Media, sees ACL shortlisted alongside some of the world’s largest telecommunications companies including industry heavyweights Verizon, China Mobile, NTT and Deutsche Telekom.
The award is judged by a panel of over 20 respected telecommunications industry experts from around the world. Due to the global virus pandemic, the awards ceremony announcing the winners, which is normally held in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Hotel in London, will be a virtual event in October.
The Broadband World Forum, the annual conference of the leading players in the global telecommunications and broadband market, has also shortlisted ACL for its annual awards due to take place in Amsterdam in November. The conference of over 4,000 of the most influential people in the global telecommunications and broadband industry is seen as the most authoritative industry event of the year.
Tatiana Burn, Chair of Avaroa Cable Ltd’s Board of Directors said:
“The shortlisting of Avaroa Cable Ltd in these two globally recognised telecommunications awards is testament to the outstanding quality, focus and determination of the ACL team, especially through such incredibly turbulent times. Building, and now operating, this critical new infrastructure for the nation, through the Manatua Cable, is a huge responsibility and it’s great to see this recognition of the professionalism and excellence with which the whole team have set about our mission.”
Dr Ranulf Scarbrough, Chief Executive Officer Avaroa Cable Ltd said:
“As a new telecommunications operator in such a remote and challenging location, it is fantastic even to make the shortlist for such prestigious awards and alongside so many respected organisations. This recognises how the team at ACL has, from a standing start, tackled the formidable task of bringing submarine fibre connectivity to the Cook Islands in incredibly tight timescales, against a backdrop of the ongoing global crisis and in a ground-breaking collaboration with our partners in the Manatua One Polynesia cable project. To be shortlisted for one of these makes me very proud of the great team we have at ACL. But two, its incredible! I wish all the award entrants the very best of luck.”