WAVE Telecom management would do everything possible to safeguard jobs if the parent company is sold. The States of Jersey has launched a consultation phase on the possibility of selling Jersey Telecoms, which is one of a few remaining publicly-owned telecoms companies in the world.

Wave managing director Tim Ringsdore said that there was still no guarantee if and when the company would be sold and whether Wave would form part of any deal.

But the company would play close attention in negotiations with potential purchasers to safeguard local jobs.

Wave’s Guernsey competitor Cable & Wireless has emerged as a potential buyer.

Channel Islands chief executive Geoff Houston said its commitment to the islands was long term.

‘At the moment our focus in Jersey is on building a world-class mobile network as part of our current £30m. investment which will benefit all our customers across the Channel Islands,’ he said.

‘If other options were to become available, we would obviously review these at that time, like any other commercial organisation.’

Mr Ringsdore said the future of Wave would depend on whether the purchaser bought the entire group and its nature and size.

But he was confident that the company’s excellent track record and expansion strategy would prove very attractive to any new owner.

He said Wave would continue as the sole 3G provider in the Bailiwick for at least another year.

‘We are confident that we would be allowed to carry on with this success if acquired.’

He said going into private ownership could prove very beneficial.

‘Depending on the size of the purchaser, the company will benefit from the economies of scale,’ said Mr Ringsdore.

‘If we were acquired by a big multinational corporation, it would increase the potential for product development and expansion.’