Wireless, has been awarded what the company said was the "prestigious'' ISO 9002 certification for its quality management system.

The award followed an extensive independent assessment by US company, Inchcape Testing Services, whose president and CEO, James P. O'Neill, made the presentation to C&W general manager, John Tibbles, during a reception at the Bermuda National Gallery on Monday night.

The SMC provides global telecommunications customer support, including a 24-hour help desk as well as network and fault management services to customers.

Cable & Wireless said they had taken a major step toward leading the way in setting and improving quality standards. The firm said that ISO 9002 is one of a series of quality system standards developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies.

C&W had to establish and document a system which ensures its services continually meet the needs of customers. The SMC undergoes independent "surveillance audits'' every nine months and go through the complete re-certification process every three years.

C&W quality coordinator and manager of human resources and administration, Phil Harris, describes the ISO certification as a worldwide standard for excellence.

He said the certification obtained by C&W recognises that the company is able to deliver its services to a recognised worldwide standard of quality and to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction.

(from left to right): Tim Repose, Webster Butler, Edwin Ford, Phil Harris, Donna Fubler, Craig Davis, Rose Robinson and Dayle Butterfield.