5G Network Now Available on the Isle of Man
BlueWave Communications, an aql company, became the first provider of a 5G network on the Isle of Man. This major breakthrough in connectivity will provide digital businesses on the island with new opportunities for growth.
The 5G network will complement the island’s existing coverage, providing ultra-fast connectivity to companies, opening doors to more business possibilities and further stimulating development on the island. BlueWave's 5G network leverages high capacity subsea connections into the main global hubs via Leeds, Manchester and London. This underlying connectivity now brings on-island broadband (fixed or via 5G) on par with major European cities.
The launch of BlueWave 5G was announced at a recent Northern Powerhouse event, hosted by the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, where cultural and business leaders explored economic opportunities for the island through its links with the North of England. Marking the announcement, Professor Adam Beaumont, chair of aql and BlueWave and Trustee of Eden Project Morecambe, visited the mast site on Carnane, accompanied by Isle of Man Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and MP for Morecambe, David Morris.
Left to right: Professor Adam Beaumont, Isle of Man Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, David Morris MP
Isle of Man Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan MHK said: “I am delighted that BlueWave have invested in a 5G network on the Isle of Man. The network has the potential to unlock many partnerships, such as potentially creating digital twinning of our whole-island UNESCO Biosphere with the Eden projects in Cornwall and soon in Morecambe. It can also support the growing need to connect the Internet of Things, which will bring future benefits for both the public and private sectors on the Isle of Man.”
Prof Adam Beaumont, chair of BlueWave, Eden Trustee, and founder and chair of aql added: “It was fitting that both David Morris and the Chief Minister could celebrate the launch of the first live commercial 5G service on the Isle of Man: David has been an unwavering supporter of Eden Morecambe and Alf has been a tireless campaigner for building a digital Isle of Man. My vision since acquiring BlueWave was to bring down the cost of data connectivity on the island to the same as the major internet cities - Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London. We’re on track to delivering this and the infrastructure to make the island a natural home for digital business.”
