Since it was erected 23 years ago Cable & Wireless’ enormous satellite dish, visible from Middle Road in Devonshire, has become something of a Bermuda landmark.

For much of that time the earth station provided the Island with an essential telecommunications links with the world, via satellites orbiting the planet 24,000 miles above.

But now the station’s days are numbered. Fibre optic cables have made its technology obsolete and preparations will shortly get underway to dismantle the eye-catching structure.

C&W announced the demise of the dish last week at the same time they revealed plans to install a $22-million fibre optic cable that will link Bermuda with the US. It’s a classic case of out with the old and in with the new.

C&W Bermuda chief executive officer Eddie Saints told The Royal Gazette that the earth station’s end was an inevitable consequence of rapidly advancing technology.

“Back when it was built in April 1984, satellite technology was at the forefront of communications,” Mr. Saints said. “It enabled us to communicate via 200 other facilities around the world.

“Then fibre optics came in and high-speed data communications. Satellite technology became redundant. The satellite is 24,000 miles away and so by the time the signal has reached another earth station, it’s already travelled 48,000 miles.

“That meant there was a delay, so the earth station became less used. The cost of using it was high, especially the Intelsat rentals, and the maintenance was expensive as metal corrodes fast in Bermuda’s conditions. So it was decommissioned about 18 months ago.”

After exploring options for the station, C&W has finally decided to tear it down — and that is no small task. The colossal dish comprises 400 tons of aluminium and steel sitting on a pedestal. The building below houses banks of complex electronic circuitry. C&W plans to ship the metal overseas.

Detailed plans for dismantling and demolition will be drawn up over the coming weeks to ensure the operation will be carried out safely. Only then will the heavy work start.