STC Plc and its Parisian partner Societe Anonyme de Telecommunications have teamed up to provide France Telecom with the second phase of the Managed Access System for Paris’s brutal business district of windswept towers, La Defense. The digital network is based on London’s business network operating in the City and is designed to provide private circuit communications links for the business community. The network provides users with a leased line service from the PTT – in this case France Telecom. STC provides the link at either end, at the public exchange and on the company premises which then enables the user to exploit the line or lines to the needs of the business. Applications vary according to user needs, but one example in London is the Stock Exchange which switches its phone lines to data use overnight. Other features that the network will include that are similar to London’s is the ability to remotely monitor and configure access ports. The network is not yet in place the first phase is due to start field testing shortly. Unlike the London system, when installed, the Parisian network will be completely fibre optic.
