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An Isle of Man trial tested UMTS and HSDPA at 900 MHz
In July 2006, O2, Manx Telecom, Lucent Technologies and QUALCOMM began a field trial on the Isle of Man using UMTS and HSDPA equipment in the 900 MHz band.
Why use a lower band
The partners were evaluating whether 900 MHz could extend voice and data coverage beyond what was practical at 2100 MHz. Lower frequencies were expected to cover a larger area from a base station and potentially improve indoor signal reach. Those were trial objectives, not guaranteed results.
A comparison with an existing network
The Isle of Man already had a commercial HSDPA service at 2100 MHz. The trial was intended to compare the two bands and examine handover between them. Lucent supplied base-station equipment and QUALCOMM supplied test terminals. It was a focused technical evaluation rather than a general service launch.