Cable & Wireless has announced that its global network which provides high-speed voice and data telecommunications services to large companies is now available in 27 towns and cities around the state.

Through a deal struck with Limerick-based Enet, Cable & Wireless will make use of the government-funded metropolitan area networks (Mans) to connect customers to its own global network which is available in 80 countries. In 2004 Enet won the contract to manage the Mans on behalf of the state.

Cable & Wireless Ireland director Noreen O'Hare said the company was in a position to offer the service thanks to new products and services introduced by Eircom. Cable & Wireless will use Eircom to supplement the reach of the Mans which currently operate in 27 locations including Athlone, Cork, Carlow, Dungarvan, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Manorhamilton, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Wexford and Waterford.

Ms O'Hare said the new Eircom services have significantly reduced the cost charged to other telcos for switching traffic between Eircom and other networks.

The announcement could potentially be a major shot in the arm for the Government's Man scheme which has been criticised for the massive investment involved. Phase 1 of the project has cost €80 million.

Enet chief executive Conal Henry recently said he expected revenues from the Mans to top €6 million in the company's current financial year which ends in April.

A number of Dublin-based firms including Ryanair and DHL already use Cable & Wireless to provide voice and data connectivity between sites in Ireland the rest of Europe. Now it can offer these services to organisations in the rest of Ireland. A number of customers are already using the network but O'Hare said they did not want their names to be revealed at the present time.