Telecoms managers on top of Y2K situation

UK telecoms managers are putting their IT counterparts to shame when it comes to Year 2000 compliance, according to survey results released by Mitel.

Of 350 telecoms managers interviewed at this year's TMA event a month ago, 90 per cent said they expect their telecoms systems to be completely prepared for the millennium date change.

A Cap Gemini survey conducted earlier this year estimated around a third of all IT departments to be on course for millennium disaster.

Mike McGinn, director of applications at Mitel, said: "Last year we talked to the country's top 500 companies and were shocked to hear only about 7 per cent of telecoms managers were on the case. The situation has been turned on its head."

McGinn admitted a lot of telecoms equipment is simpler than IT hardware and software, but he said the tradition of "100 per cent uptime" and "reliance on PBXes" is just as important.

The research, which was carried out by Mori, also found most telecoms managers have already contacted their PBX (private branch exchange) suppliers to establish the Year 2000 status of their equipment.

Mitel, which has audited most of its customers' equipment for Year 2000 compliance, has set up a helpline offering advice on the issue. Its number is 0870 909 8888.