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MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbus Communications Inc. continued its investment commitment in the Pan Caribbean Region as its wholly-owned subsidiary, New World Network Ltd., today announced that it is building a new undersea fiber optic network that will connect Trinidad to Curacao and further expand the reach of its ARCOS network.

The Trinidad-Curacao Sub Sea Fibre Project includes 1,000 kilometers of high-strength, high capacity undersea fiber optic cable. The new fiber network is in direct response to growing demand among communications companies that require increasing broadband capacity to serve Trinidad and the region.

"This new project is a bellwether of the exponential growth of broadband services in the Caribbean and speaks to Columbus' steadfast commitment to make new investments that enable such growth," said Brendan Paddick, CEO of Bridgetown, Barbados-based Columbus.

Columbus acquired New World in Sept. 2005. Since that time, the company has invested heavily to expand and improve the ARCOS undersea fiber optic network.

"By continuing to invest significantly in communications infrastructure and committing to provide access to leading edge technology, Columbus Communications is helping the Caribbean-based telecom operators add value to the lives of consumers and expand the region's commercial significance worldwide," Paddick said. "Demand for bandwidth services in the region is significant and continuously growing."

New World Network awarded the contract for building the new network to Tyco Telecommunications, a business unit of Tyco Electronics. Tyco has extensive knowledge and experience in undersea cable engineering, construction, as well as repair and maintenance with networks deployed worldwide. It has particular expertise in the Pan-Caribbean Region.

Work on the Trinidad-Curacao Sub Sea Fibre Project is well underway. It is expected to be completed and ready for service by fall 2007.

"With the backing of Columbus, New World is transforming ARCOS into the premier fiber optic network in this region," said Paul Scott, president of New World. "With Tyco's capabilities and responsiveness, we are confident that we can quickly achieve Columbus' vision for our company and the region as a whole."