Cable and Wireless in embassy deal - graduate jobs

Electrical engineering graduates will be interested to hear that Cable & Wireless Worldwide has announced deal to supply telecom services to more than 200 embassies, high commissions and consulates will save the UK taxpayer £90 million.

The contract, worth £82 million, will see the group provide phone, internet and video conferencing services to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 160 countries for five-and-a-half years.

The new contract will be welcomed at C&W Worldwide after it recently warned Government spending cuts would impact its full-year growth.

The group said the partnership "fitted in well" with the Government's broader austerity measures, with savings being made through improved efficiency provided by its network.

The department previously used local service providers across the world so moving to a single network will help lower costs, C&W Worldwide said.

The group added that FCO flight costs would reduce by 25% through an increased use of video conferencing, as well as a reduction in carbon emissions.

The FCO said it expected ongoing operating costs to reduce by more than 50% under the new contract, when compared to the service from incumbent Global Crossing.

Earlier this year, C&W Worldwide said it was forced to ramp up cost-cutting plans after public sector spending slowed significantly in the wake of Chancellor George Osborne's emergency Budget in June.