Wilting under enormous debt and staring bankruptcy in the face just two years ago, the Marconi Group can now justifiably lay claim to the title of the Houdini of the telecoms industry. The UK-based conglomerate has emerged cash positive and rejuvenated after negotiating a financial restructuring package with banks that can only be described as audacious.

Richard Bicker Caarten, CEO of Marconi Communications SA, confirms that it was a time of great buoyancy and optimism, with huge demand for network capacity from the global telecoms service providers.