Hermes Europe Railtel (HER?Brussels) was selected by Cable & Wireless (London) as the principal supplier for the first stage of its new European network. Cable & Wireless is investing $1 billion over five years to build an integrated voice, data, and Internet network linking more than 40 European cities in 13 countries. Under a 10-year agreement, HER will provide immediate bandwidth up to STM-1 (155-Mbit/sec) speeds, with higher capacities available. Additionally, HER purchased STM-4 (622-Mbit/sec) capacity on Gemini?s transatlantic cable to meet the initial demand of its European Internet provider customers. C&W also announced an agreement with Global Crossing Ltd. (Hamilton, Bermuda) for the purchase of dark fibers on Global Crossing?s Pan European Crossing fiber-optic network. The agreement, valued at more than $100 million, provides Cable & Wireless with dark fiber to interconnect 18 European cities, including London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris. Initial service is scheduled for 1999.