Global Crossing: How Ireland Invested in the Internet

Former Secretary General Brendan Tuohy discusses the Global Crossing project.With major backing from the Irish government, Global Crossing involved building two transatlantic fibre-optic cables and compatible landing points in Ireland.The Irish government pre-purchased capacity on the cables as an anchor customer, with major multinationals and telecoms carriers expected to buy the capacity later.Ultimately, the Global Crossing project contributed to Ireland being an international connectivity hub with direct and cost-effective transatlantic fibre links.Tuohy also speaks about broader topics such as trust, collaboration and accountability.For our digest segment, Conor Igoe considers the significance of Global Crossing today in the context of artificial intelligence.Credits: RTE Archives.Further Reading:Transcript of Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee hearing:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/committee_of_public_accounts/2003-11-27/2/#s4Report of the Comptroller and Auditor Generalhttps://archive.oireachtas.ie/2005/REPORT_20050700_3.htmlhttps://www.irishtimes.com/technology/2024/10/10/mary-orourke-laid-the-critical-groundwork-for-states-success-in-tech/