Transaction in Own Shares

17 May 2011

Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (the "Company")

Transaction in own shares

The Company announces that on 17 May 2011 it purchased from RBS Hoare Govett Limited 1,250,000 ordinary shares of US$0.05 each, representing approximately 0.04689 per cent of the Company's current issued ordinary share capital.

The price paid per share was 47.9520 pence per share.

The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.

Following the repurchase, 69,977,000 ordinary shares of US$0.05 each are currently held by the Company in treasury and 2,595,634,727 ordinary shares of US$0.05 each (excluding those ordinary shares of US$0.05 each held in treasury) are currently in issue.