3G launched in the Isle of Man

The launch of the 3G network on the Isle of Man for Manx Telecom has been announced.

NFC and Siemens supplied the network infrastructure, terminals and applications for Manx Telecom. The applications that are currently available on the network include web browsing at 384 kbit/s (almost 40 times the speed of GSM) using a 3G terminal and notebook video telephony.

Other applications include mobile office and gaming applications. With its 28 radio sites, the network covers 85% of the island. It is fully integrated into the existing communications infrastructure so calls can be made to and from the GSM network, as well as all fixed-line networks.

Siemens has secured a major 3G infrastructure contract to provide Italian mobile operator H3G with mobile radio technology in a deal worth more than €710m. Together with its co-operation partner NEC, Siemens Mobile will deliver UMTS (3G0 technology to H3G) over a five year period.