The French national packet-switched network operator Transpac SA has taken a short cut into the UK by acquiring London Regional Transport’s extensive private X25 network, CentreNet. CentreNet serves 15,000 people at 100 sites in Central London and will operate direct links to computing centres in Rennes and Paris, supporting UK customers at the end of the year. London Regional Transport is to beome the first customer of Transpac Network Services Ltd, the UK subsidiary set up by the French company. Transpac is a free-standing company under the ultimate control of France Telecom, and runs the world’s most successful X25 data communications service including the French Minitel service. The move into the UK is seen by the company as being the first step towards the establishment of a pan-European data network with international communications to the rest of the world. According to Fred Metzgen who heads the UK operation, Transpac is keen to seek further facilities management opportunities. The company’s objective in the UK is to establish national and international data communications services, through further acquisitions of private X25 networks. Maritime Cargo Processing is planning to link to the Transpac network later this year – intitally within the M25 region but as the network expands into national and international networks. The UK network is supported by Alcatel NV, which will install, commission and maintain it. It will have a capability of around 256Kbps.
