§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at how many missions his Department's telecommunications network has installed both telephone systems and network connections; and if he will make a statement. [82035]
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§ Mr. RammellThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office Telecommunications Network (FTN) connects our overseas missions to a telecommunications network and to a telephone system (PBX). The related hardware is installed by the FCO's PFI partner, Global Crossing. There are separate, but interlinked, timetables for the two types of installation. The number of missions that have already received network connections and new telephone systems is 150 and 177 respectively.
Not all missions are receiving both. To date, the number of missions with both network connection and new telephone system is 141.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the maximum period of time that his Department's communications would be disrupted in the event of the failure of Global Crossing to continue in operation; and if he will make a statement. [82036]
§ Mr. RammellContingency arrangements are in place to allow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to continue to operate without disruption should Global Crossing, for any reason, withdraw their service. We are concluding work connected with service to North America and Western Europe, and for service within the United Kingdom, which will further enhance existing contingency arrangements and ensure no loss of service.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what interruptions of service his Department's telecommunication network has had in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [82037]
§ Mr. RammellThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office Telecommunications Network (FTN) connects our diplomatic missions overseas to a telecommunications network; and to a telephone system (PBX). Both services are provided through service level agreements (SLAs) under the contract with our PFI partner, Global Crossing. While there have been some circuit interruptions, as is to be expected from a world-wide network, the overall performance has exceeded contractual requirements and has served the FCO very well.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will incur financial penalties in the event of Global Crossing becoming bankrupt; and if he will make a statement. [82038]
§ Mr. RammellThe FCO would incur no financial or contractual penalties in the event of Global Crossing being declared bankrupt but would assume financial commitments in either appointing a new prime contractor or in taking on the role of prime contractor to ensure continuation of service. The FCO is monitoring Global Crossing's progress towards a successful exit from Chapter 11 protection.