Telecoms company to create 50 jobs in Belfast

A telecoms company is creating more than 50 jobs in Belfast it was announced today.

Cambridge-based Magdalene, which has set up in the south of Belfast, is establishing a telecoms services and engineering support centre there creating 34 high-value jobs .

A network operations centre, creating a further 18 positions, will be set up later in the year.

The independent telecoms service provider supplies services for private and public operations including fixed and mobile phone operators, airports, highways agencies , police and major utility companies.

The company investment is being supported by enterprise agency Invest NI.

The North's Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “Today’s announcement reinforces Northern Ireland’s reputation as a value for money location which can strongly compete for, and win, quality investment projects in the ITC sector, despite the global downturn.”

Last week several dozen jobs were created in the Northby Dublin-based telecoms companies including Eircom, which is doubling its Belfast workforce to 60.

The minister said: “Creating 52 new, highly specialised software engineering and network monitoring jobs over the next two years, this engineering support centre will play an integral role in the growth of Magdalene across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.”

She added: “The current economic climate continues to make conditions difficult for many companies, locally or internationally owned. With global competition for such investment increasing, it is extremely encouraging for companies such as Magdalene to invest here.”

Anthony Crane, the company’s managing director, said: “Magdalene delivers some of the most advanced telecoms solutions currently available so a base from which to develop further business in the EMEA region, primarily in the Republic of Ireland, was essential.”

He said the company could not fail to be attracted to the North, particularly when combined with the support offered by Invest NI.

“I am confident that the Belfast site will add value to Magdalene’s EMEA operations and strengthen our position in target markets.”