Island will be miles better after NGN switchover

12th January 2012

Manx Telecom’s Next Generation Network (NGN) switchover has used enough wire to go right around the Island’s coastline - and still have enough left to wrap around the Calf of Man!

It’s an illustration of how much work has gone into switching all of the Island’s landlines to NGN which is a £25 million programme to replace the entire fixed, mobile and broadband network with an IP (Internet Protocol) telecommunications system which will converge voice calls and data, onto one network. As telecommunications technology continues to develop, NGN will benefit all of Manx Telecom’s customers and the Island as a whole.

Each of the Island’s 50,000 landlines has to be switched from the existing network to NGN - a process known as ‘migration’. This process involves engineers having to switch each line one by one and began in November 2010 and by the time the migration process is complete the engineers will have used 182 miles of wire. It has involved thousands of hours of work and much of the old exchange equipment which NGN technology replaces, is to be recycled and sold to UK suppliers.

Mike Readshaw, NGN Programme Manager, said: “We have now completed around 80% per cent of the 50,000 lines which have to be switched to NGN. It’s been a huge and complex task and our engineers have been migrating up to 200 lines per day. But all of this work and investment is worth it for the long term benefits NGN will bring in ensuring that the Island continues to have a world class telecommunications infrastructure.”

Before beginning the switchover Manx Telecom engineers carried out extensive testing on a range of telephones to make sure they were compatible with NGN. This work has ensured that there have been very few problems reported by customers. However, there are also test lines in Manx Telecom’s store in Strand Street, Douglas, and staff there will be able to provide assistance if required. Due to the size and complexity of the switchover, Manx Telecom is unable to provide specific dates and times for the changeover of individual lines - and if customers do subsequently experience any problems with their service they should phone the 24/7 local helpline on 624624 and follow the options for support. For more information about the NGN migration process can also be found at http://www.manxtelecom.com/ngn.