'Customers will be able to experience for the first time next-generation services on the move at speeds equivalent to those enjoyed by fixed broadband networks' says the firm. 'They will be able to quickly and easily access corporate networks, send and receive emails with large attachments as well as download DVD-quality film clips, audio and video, interactive multiplayer games, multimedia music tracks at three-times the speed of today's commercial 3G UMTS networks.'

Applications and services on the Isle of Man will be initially targeted at Manx Telecom's corporate customers. These will be followed by the ongoing development of content for the consumer market, facilitated by the higher speeds which HSDPA has already demonstrated in pre-launch trials.

Dave Williams, group chief technology officer of O2, observed:

"We have market-leading experience in the deployment of mobile data services and 3G technology. Now, with the first deployment in Europe of HSDPA, the launch of i-mode in the UK and Ireland coupled with our mobile TV trial in Oxford, O2 will gain invaluable insights into how to extend our multimedia services in order to enhance people's lives and develop applications that they are willing to pay for."

In a statement released last week, O2 said that it has begun to provide full island coverage where customers use mobile communications services. 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 in this area that O2 has conducted with its two principal networking partners - Nortel Networks and Nokia Corporation.

Chris Hall, Manx Telecom managing director, noted that:

"Working with Lucent Technologies, we will have a very early deployment of HSDPA, allowing us to gain the knowledge and expertise in high-speed mobile data services which can be rolled out across the O2 Group, including the UK, Germany and Ireland. It will also offer a great opportunity for our customers on the Isle of Man to be among the first to experience this ground-breaking technology."

Andy Williams, president, Lucent Technologies Europe, added:

"We are very excited and honoured to help Manx Telecom launch the first commercial HSDPA service in Europe. We believe our end-to-end UMTS/HSDPA solutions are best-in-class and will help Manx Telecom deliver mobile services never seen before in Europe."

The Lucent built HSDPA-enabled network initially offers data speeds of 1.3 Megabits per second (Mbps) - limited only by the capability of current-generation handsets - and will provide theoretical maximum peak data speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps. At launch customers will be able to send a 5Mbyte video clip in under 30 seconds.