Telecoms company Sure says it will be launching trials of 5G later this year, testing the latest in mobile technology.

Chief executive Mike Phillips told Business News the testing will probably include a small number of businesses and residential customers in the island.

The company is currently going through a complex tender process, involving a number of suppliers from around the world and taking into account changing security considerations, to select a partner for a new 5G network.

Mr Phillips confirmed that Sure plans to announce the chosen partner in the next few months and he hopes the pilot project could take place after the summer this year.

’We believe we will be the first,’ he said, when asked about an eventual roll-out of 5G across the island.

The race to be the first company to bring the latest in mobile technology could well be hotting up.

Manx Telecom hosted the first demonstration of 5G in October last year.

But a spokesman told Business News the company would not be commenting on Sure’s latest announcement.

Mr Phillips said: ’At Sure we’re hugely excited by the transformative potential of 5G mobile technology.

’It will be a complete step change from the existing fixed broadband network and mobile technology we have today and, as such, we believe this technology is best explained as ’’fibre in the air’’ for the Isle of Man.’

Ian Kelly, Sure’s group chief executive said: ’Sure is very much committed to the Isle of Man and we’re excited to be making this significant investment to develop a 5G trial network here.

’By introducing advanced 5G technology our customers can have an even better mobile experience. This is a great opportunity for the island to be at the leading edge of mobile innovation and benefit from this technology right from the outset.

’Sure’s customer base is continuing to grow quickly in the island as customers benefit from our ongoing investments in our telecoms networks, fibre and 4G mobile, as well as local customer service.’