Three leading authorities in the South Wales telecommunications industry have joined forces to set up the region's latest networks company.

Bridgecom Networks, which is based in Cardiff, has been formed by Ian Norton, Julian Hopkins and Steve Johns, who have a combined 30-plus years of communications technology experience.

Ian Norton was until recently a main board director with Glamorgan Telecom, which he joined in 1999 after four years as Channels Business Manager with Xerox (UK). Julian Hopkins has spent the last 15 years in telecommunications, latterly as CEO of JVH Group, Bridgend.

And the third member of the new team is Steve Johns, who has 12 years technical experience within the telecommunications and data environment.

The company is aspiring to 'seriously increase the competitive edge of South Wales industry and commerce' by installing and maintaining the very latest state of the art technology. "Everyone is talking about voice over IP and broadband, but not a lot appears to be happening," said Ian Norton. "I believe the reason is that most telecoms and data providers are historically structured to deliver traditional PBX and IT solutions. "Telecom supplier upgrade offerings to such 'traditional solutions' are generally quite expensive (and quite profitable) - which may offer a pointer as to why the majority of the marketplace is still operating in the communications dark ages of PBX and data networks. In fact, all that really seems to be on offer to reduce operational costs is cheaper call charges, everything else is plus, plus, plus!"

Bridgecom Networks is exclusively offering its South Wales customers Splicecom's MAXIMISER, a totally new next generation business communication system, which provides voice, video, and web-enabled IT applications from the desktop.

The other flagship product being offered by the company is the Aastra Telecoms IP PBX, a highly featured open standard IP communications platform. Aastra has recently acquired Ascom's Communications Systems Division and is also in the process of acquiring the German telecoms business of DeTeWe KG later in 2005. "Through our sister operation BridgeCall, Bridgecom Networks can also offer possibly the simplest, most flexible and competitive method of obtaining low cost call and line rentals, whether they be ISDN, Broadband or Analogue," said Ian. "There are no site visits necessary, no installation costs, no minimum call spend and no connection charges."

Bridgecom Networks has just moved into a 1,000 sq ft premises at Alexandra Gate, Tremorfa, and plans to appoint at least 15 additional members of staff over the next year.