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18th November - The Isle of Man, located in
the British Isles, announced that O2 successfully launched
Europe's first commercial, super-fast third generation (3G)
mobile data network earlier this month. The 3G network was
developed by the company's subsidiary Manx Telecom on the
Isle of Man through a partnership with Lucent Technologies.
The 3G network on the Isle of Man incorporates HSDPA (high-speed
downlink packet access) technology and positions O2 and Manx
Telecom at the forefront of providing advanced mobile data
services to customers within Europe. The network will provide
full island coverage where customers use mobile communications
services today. Based on advanced technology from Lucent Technologies,
the futuristic network builds on O2's previous successful
live trials of early 3G on the Isle of Man at the end of 2001.
It also complements existing work that O2 has conducted with
its two principal networking partners: Nortel Networks and
Nokia Corporation.
"Our leading fixed, mobile and Internet services as
well as our resilient off-Island connectivity are attracting
the attention of technology companies around the world,"
said Tim Craine, Director of E-Business for the Isle of Man
Government. "At the forefront of the next generation
of telecommunications technology, we are able to provide our
growing business community with state-of-the-art services
to ensure companies continue to thrive on the Isle of Man."
Recognized for its pro-business environment and responsive
government policies, the Isle of Man has become the home to
a flourishing interactive entertainment and technology industry.
Many companies are establishing operations in the Isle of
Man to access the UK and European Union markets. To assist
in this process, the Isle of Man Government provides generous
grant packages of up to 40% to help offset the cost of moving,
setting up operations, and acquiring new office equipment.
The 3G mobile data network is yet another benefit the Island
offers, as customers of gaming companies located on the Island
will now be able to download interactive multiplayer games
3 times faster than today's commercial 3G UMTS networks.
The Isle of Man is abolishing its general corporate tax rate,
which is scheduled to take effect in April 2006. Government
is also proposing to introduce a personal income tax liability
cap at the same time. The zero corporate tax initiative is
part of the government's strategy to expand the Island's technology
community and enhance its reputation as a AAA rated jurisdiction.
This combines world-class standards of regulation, transparency
and telecom infrastructure with extremely beneficial rates
of direct taxation.
In addition to progressive government policy, more than $90
million has been invested in the Island's telecommunications
infrastructure over the past five years. The Isle of Man is
leading Europe with innovative technology investments which
include implementation of this Super Fast (HSDPA) 3G network,
two self healing (SDH) fiber rings connecting the Isle of
Man to both the UK and Ireland, 100 percent broadband coverage
and free ADSL and ISDN connections available for businesses
and individuals.
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