OneComm offers 5G mobile network
Telecoms firm One Communications has rolled out Bermuda’s first 5G mobile network.
“We are thrilled to lead the launch of 5G technology in Bermuda,” said Niall Sheehy, the chief executive of One Communications.
“This transformative leap is a demonstration of our commitment to deliver the latest innovations and elevate connectivity across Bermuda.”
It represents the culmination of a multimillion-dollar investment by OneComm. Mr Sheehy added: “We are excited to bring the power of 5G to our customers and be the first carrier to introduce the latest 5G iPhone’s, which demonstrate the unparalleled speed and reliability of our network.”
The news comes as telecoms start-up Paradise Mobile said in a social-media post yesterday that it would be launching in ten days.
In May this year, the firm said it was close to finishing its 5G network buildout and saw itself as a key player in the acceleration of 5G’s future.
Echoing One Communication’s 4G LTE launch in 2016, the first phase of OneComm’s ultra-fast 5G performance will begin in Hamilton.
The firm said up to 75 per cent of island coverage was 5G ready and that 5G performance “will continue to expand throughout the island in a phased approach based on capacity and traffic requirements”.
One Communications said that the launch “reaffirms its commitment to continuous investment in technology and delivering value to its customers”.
It added that the 5G network “promises to revolutionise the mobile service experience in Bermuda, beginning in Hamilton”, with internet access speeds up to ten times faster than the current 4G capabilities.
“This ultra-fast network is designed to support a wide range of high-bandwidth applications, from streaming 4K UHD video to engaging in seamless online gaming,” the statement said.
The 5G services will initially be accessible to Postpaid customers with iPhone models 12 and newer.
The company added: “This will allow the company to ensure the highest quality of service for customers. The 5G capable Samsung devices will become compatible with the 5G network in the first Quarter of 2024, coinciding with the launch of the new Flagship Samsung devices.”
The UK regulator, Ofcom said 5G followed previous generations of mobile technology such as 3G, which led to the launch of smartphones, and 4G, which enabled faster browsing, allowing people to do things such as watching videos on the move.
The 5G offer is much faster than previous generations of wireless technology but also offers greater capacity, allowing thousands of devices in a small area to be connected at the same time.
The reduction in latency (the time between instructing a wireless device to perform an action and that action being completed) means 5G is also more responsive.
The connectivity and capacity offered by 5G is opening up the potential for new, innovative services.
It is already being used and tested across a number of sectors, benefiting people and businesses. In one example in the UK, 5G is being used to connect video systems that allow pharmacists to remotely check whether patients are taking their medication.
The technology is also being used in farming, with one example being autonomous farming machinery. Machines scour the field using a video sensor and apply fertilisers and pesticides where they are needed, helping to save resources and boost efficiency.
It can also enable manufacturers to use smart machinery, providing and reacting to real-time data to improve efficiency.
Ofcom says 5G does not pose any health risks: in the UK, the Public Health England view is that “the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health”.
The Regulatory Authority lifted a moratorium on introducing 5G wireless technology to Bermuda in 2021. It had been imposed in 2022 to allow time for consultation after community groups raised concerns about its safety.
Coinciding with the announcement of 5G, One Communications said its holiday promotions would start today.
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