Reuters Asia Pte Limited.

Both companies said the $38.5 million telecommunications contract will boost the area's network and cut down Reuters' management costs.

David Sexton, Cable & Wireless global markets chief executive officer, said a 15-year close relationship between the two sprang out of Cable & Wireless' local Hong Kong company.

And the managing directors of Reuter's Asia/Pacific trading systems, Les Clemsenson, said: "Working in partnership with a single global carrier not only provides us with greater bargaining power, but also creates a flexible platform for our Asian growth strategy.'' Cable & Wireless' flexibility was a major plus in Reuters' choice of the supplier, he said. The company has made great headway into broadband, a system capable of rapid, high-volume data transmission which the industry indicates will be critical as more, and faster, information services are demanded in the future.