Cycling superstar Mark Cavendish MBE has chosen a mobile network which can match his sprinting speed on the bike! Manx Telecom has announced that the fastest man on two wheels is to be an ambassador for the company’s superfast 4G network which goes live on July 29. It is the Island’s first 4G network and delivers speeds up to seven times faster than those currently experienced with the company’s 3G service.
Cavendish will feature in advertising campaigns over the coming months and will use the network when he’s on the Island. Manx Telecom has also provided him with a 4G smartphone to keep in touch with friends and family while travelling around the world. The ‘Manx Missile’ is a big fan of social media, so having the latest smartphone and best network will also help him to update Twitter and Facebook accounts on which he has a combined total of more than one million followers. Cavendish said:
“A fast and reliable mobile network is essential for me to be able to keep in touch when I’m travelling to and from races – so I’m delighted to be an ambassador for Manx Telecom’s fantastic new 4G service. It’s also great to be associated with a company which is at the heart of Island life and a loyal supporter of so many community events and organisations – including the Manx Road Club which competes as Team Manx Telecom, and the Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge.”
The Manx Road Club has been sponsored by the Island’s leading telecoms company since 2008 – Cavendish joined the club as a youngster and is still a member.
David Smith, Manx Telecom Marketing Director, commented:
“Mark’s reputation as the fastest man on two wheels, and the fact that he has done so much to raise the Isle of Man’s profile on the world stage, make him the ideal choice as our 4G ambassador. With our 4G network enabling live streaming of HD TV – and with a predicted 95% population coverage – Cav’s fans will be able to watch his victories wherever they are on the Island from now on. And for our customers already on pay monthly smartphone plans with a 4G ready handset there will be no extra cost – so everyone’s a winner with MT 4G!”
The partnership between Cavendish and Manx Telecom also reflects the company’s role as a Team Isle of Man Champion – a fundraising initiative which supports the Island’s Commonwealth Games team. In 2006 he won gold in the scratch race to become only the third Manx competitor to be crowned a Commonwealth Games champion. He also competed in the 2010 Games in Delhi and was selected to represent Team Isle of Man at the Glasgow 2014 Games which begin on July 23. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in a crash at the end of the first stage of the Tour de France and is now recovering from surgery, so he will not be able to compete at the Games.
For anyone who hasn’t experienced the superfast speeds of 4G there is a live demo in Manx Telecom’s Strand Street store which shows a real-time comparison with 3G. For more information on what customers need to do to get 4G go to www.manxtelecom.com/4g which includes a simple step-by-step guide to checking handsets and SIM cards.
Photo - Mark Cavendish MBE - ambassador for Manx Telecom’s superfast 4G network which goes live on July 29. Photo courtesy of @TDWsport.com.
