Sure has entered into an agreement with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to build a new 4G network in the island and upgrade all its existing 3G networks.
Rival Manx Telecom announced in November that it was linking up with the same firm as part of a £10 million investment in a 4G upgrade of its network.
Sure’s agreement with Huawei is a precursor to signing a full contract, which will be in place by February 28.
The upgrade to 4G is expected to be complete by late June or early July.
Andy Bridson, chief executive officer of Sure Isle of Man, said: ‘We want to make sure that our island is at the forefront of communications technology and ensuring we have a network that delivers 4G/LTE speeds, coverage and resilience is core to that. As we roll out the new network throughout this year, our customers will notice a significant improvement in their mobile voice and wireless data experience, which we know will be welcomed.’
‘In addition, this multi-million pound investment into our island‘s infrastructure underpins our commitment to the Isle of Man to ensure its position as a key player in the world markets.’
Mr Bridson said Huawei is one of the biggest provider of mobile networks in the world and he said the fact that MT had selected the same vendor was ‘total coincidence’. He explained the two networks will be entirely separate.
Like MT, Sure insists there is no security concern.
Huawei is one of the biggest providers of mobile network technology in the world. But in 2012, the American House of Intelligence Committee claimed the firm represented a threat to the country’s national security
Mr Bridson said in the wake of the leaks by US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowdon, America should look closer to home over security risks. ‘Huawei might have had a slightly frosty reception in the US but the rest of the world recognises it’s a leading technology provider,’ he said, adding he expected a seamless handover to 4G and disruption to customers would be kept to a minimum.
Mr Bridson said 4G will allow home broadband without the need for a wire – so customers would not have to pay for a home phone line rental.
He said the tie-up with Huawei was another example to show the island was open for business with China.
Cyrille Joffre, chief technology officer of Sure, said Huawei had the cutting edge technical expertise.