Life and pensions group Canada Life is to consolidate its core European technology structure in Ireland in a move that will create 20 new jobs.
The move is facilitated by a €1.5 million three-year contract with Cable & Wireless for the provision of network services.
Canada Life will use Cable & Wireless's high-speed global IP network to connect a new Irish data centre, which will employ 20 staff, with its other European offices.
Cable & Wireless is currently migrating Canada Life's existing European data networks onto its network, enabling Canada Life's 2,000 European employees to share financial applications.
All Canada Life's internal telephone traffic will be able to travel free of charge across the international virtual private network, leading to substantial costs savings. The new network will also connect the European offices directly with head office in Canada.
The Cable & Wireless network has points of presence in over 80 countries, which means it will support Canada Life's growth plans for Europe.
Canada Life's Irish operations manage funds exceeding €6 billion and have more than 600 staff and 300,000 policyholders around the country.
