Manx Telecom has scooped a £10m contract to deliver the island’s National Broadband Plan, it was announced today. (Tuesday).

The Department for Enterprise awarded the company as preferred supplier with designated fibre provider status.

Manx telecom chief executive Gary Lamb said: ’We have always supported the expansion of this network as part of our commitment to keep the Isle of Man at the forefront of digital technology and we welcome the opportunity to work with the Isle of Man Government to roll-out fibre to all parts of the island, including rural areas.’

The plan will be completed within five years and deliver a new fibre network passing 99% of residential and business premises with speeds of up to 1Gb/s.

’25% of island properties can already access ultrafast fibre broadband via licensed operstors and this award will ensure that the network is rolled out across the island.

More on this story in this week’s Manx Independent on Thursday.