MANX Telecom announced it would trial the fourth generation of mobile technology - 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) - in the Isle of Man in November.
The 4G LTE technology provides faster download and upload speeds for all mobile devices, super fast mobile broadband, enables HD video streaming to mobiles and an enhanced experience for interactive gaming.
Manx Telecom teamed up with Alcatel-Lucent - the company who pioneered the LTE technology - to create the 4G trial network which is the first of its kind in the Island.
The company demonstrated the technology's capabilities to clients from the private and public sectors and took representatives from many of the Island's businesses on a tour in a minibus equipped with mobile devices which showed the capabilities of 4G.
The trial network covered two areas - one in Douglas centre which extended along Strand Street and the promenades and the second in the Isle of Man Business Park.
As there are currently very few 4G enabled devices on the market Alcatel-Lucent and Manx Telecom engineers used bespoke 4G devices to create wi-fi hotspots so that existing devices could be used to demonstrate the faster speeds of 4G.
Mike Dee, the chief executive officer of Manx Telecom, said: "4G (LTE) has tremendous potential and we are looking forward to hosting a practical demonstration of its capabilities.
"Of course to make 4G (LTE) technology available to consumers would require one of the biggest investments in Manx Telecom's history in order to upgrade our entire mobile infrastructure.
"But as always Manx Telecom is looking ahead and examining every opportunity to develop our world class mobile network even further.
"Innovation is in our DNA and we hope to bring our customers 4G services in 2013 although this is very much dependent on the availability of smart-phones and handsets."
Initial 4G LTE tests have shown speeds of up to 55 Mbit/s download and up to 18 Mbit/s upload can be reached in the Island. With more users on the network these speeds would be reduced but Manx Telecom said they would still be significantly higher than the speeds currently available.
Another benefit of the 4G network would be the strength of the signal which is rarely affected by buildings or other physical obstacles – something which can affect the 3G signal.
4G also works at a lower frequency to 3G. As such mobile coverage and in particular indoor coverage is improved without the need for large numbers of new masts.
Lucy Dimes, chief executive officer for UK and Ireland Alcatel-Lucent, commented: "We are delighted to be working alongside Manx Telecom - the company which pioneered 3G and 3.5G mobile services.
"4G is a technology which offers significantly enhanced user experiences and we look forward to showing just what 4G can do in the Isle of Man trial."
This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.
