Advanced Isle of Man broadband network to benefit VoIP solutions

Advanced broadband infrastructure on the Isle of Man will help users of VoIP solutions and provide fixed-line speeds of at least 5.6 megabits per second (Mbps), says a report.

Around 70 per cent of a next-generation network has already been installed by Manx Telecom, with all homes set to have broadband access within the next few months and mobile connectivity to reach at least 3.6Mbps, reports Computer Weekly.

The island's treasury department has an annual budget of £1 million to promote e-business and encourage more firms to get online to maintain their competitive edge.

Tim Cranes, director of e-business in the treasury department of the Isle of Man government, told the website: "The political endorsement is there to drive e-business. The Isle of Man is serious about growing our e-business and IT sectors. For the size of the island we have a disproportionate amount of investment."

Developments on the Isle of Man show a small-scale version of what could be possible on the mainland UK.

The Westminster government plans to connect every UK home by 2012.