At 13:45 today, the first light was successfully transmitted and received across the system between Sydney and Guam.  This major milestone has been able to be achieved as yesterday the team on the Tyco Durable completed the final splice on the system just off Madang.  The work was completed in the early hours of yesterday morning and the PIPE International and Tyco Telecom teams have been conducting the various optical and powering tests and assessments to ensure that everything is as it should be.  This also means that for the first time, Sydney, Guam and Madang are connected by a continuous piece of fibre-optic glass.

With the OK being granted by the cable station engineers, the C.S. Tyco Durable has been released from the cable grounds. This marks the completion of the marine programme.

Watch this blog for further information and a gallery of photos will be included in the next 24 hours.