By Alex Wright – Royal Gazette
 M3 Wireless iPhone 3G and Blackberry mobiles |
||
|
|
The latest phase of the technology revolution has finally arrived in Bermuda with the launch of the new 3G network and Apple iPhone 3G by M3 Wireless.
The new devices were officially unveiled by Michael Beckles, chief operations officer of M3 Wireless, at a launch event yesterday, and will be available at the wireless service provider’s retail store on Burnaby Street and P-tech in Reid Street.
The new service will provide broadband-like data speeds over the mobile network both on Island and overseas where it is available – a milestone in the Island’s technological advancement, according to Mr. Beckles.
“We are very excited about this deployment of our high-speed broadband 3G network,” he said.
“We are the first network to be deploying 3G in Bermuda. and the first carrier to be deploying the Apple iPhone 3G.
“To be able to deploy the best technological services to Bermuda is something that we are extremely proud of and we will continue to be at the forefront of new technology.
“We want Bermudians to be able to experience the same level of service that people around the world experience.”
3G, which means third generation wireless technology, allows users to experience better data performance when browsing and downloading from the Internet, emailing or viewing videos, with the ability to make phone calls at the same time, all on a reliable network.
The Apple iPhone complements the 3G network by providing the ability to video-stream, use the Internet browser and download music and applications. It comes in 8GB and 16GB models with a widescreen iPod format and full HTML Internet browser, as well as GPS, WiFi and it supports Microsoft Exchange.
But users of the new network can also use a range of 3G smartphones, such as the BlackBerry Bold, Nokia E71 and HTC Touch Diamond to access all of the applications they need.
Michael Beckles
Meanwhile, M3 Wireless’ existing 2G customers will continue to have their network maintained and upgraded, said Mr. Beckles.
“We wanted to make the switch from 2G to 3G simple for our customers who have already purchased a 3G device from us,” he said.
“All they have to do is pick up a 3G SIM card from M3’s retail store on Burnaby Street.”
To facilitate the switch, M3 has set up a dedicated desk to handle SIM card swaps from today through to April 9, after which they will be available at its service counters.
Mr. Beckles was joined at the meeting by Ken Wilson, vice-president of network operations at M3 Wireless, who was behind bringing the 3G network to Bermuda, John Manderson, president and owner of Wireless Ventures, one of the company’s main consultants for the project, and Michael Wells, acting director of telecommunications in the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, who helped in setting up the provision of the service, which was four months in the testing prior to its launch.