Manx Telecom has defended its decision to work in partnership with Chinese telecommunications company Huawei to provide the latest generation of 4G services to Isle of Man customers.
Concerns have been expressed by governments of Australia and America over possible risks to their countries’ security.
A spokesman for Manx Telecom did not address the allegations but said the relationship would benefit the island.
Huawei is to work with Manx Telecom to develop the fourth generation, or so-called 4G services which provide faster broadband internet access for smartphones and laptop computers with wireless connections.
The 4G service is to start in the first half of 2014 and is expected to cover 95 per cent of the Isle of Man population in the first two years.
Huawei is expected to supply the 4G equipment for Manx Telecom which will give broadband speeds which are several times quicker than the current 3G system.
The company is also to update the Manx Telecom 2G and 3G services which will improve performance across the whole mobile telephone network.
Asked about the security concerns of other countries and any possible implications for the Isle of Man, a spokesman for Manx Telecom said: ‘Following a thorough and exhaustive procurement process we are confident that in Huawei we have selected the most advanced 4G solution from the best supplier to ensure that we continue to offer our customers a world class service.’
Last year the American House of Intelligence Committee claimed Huawei was a threat to the country’s national security and suggested American firms should not enter into any business agreements with the company, which is based in Shenzhen.
In Australia a ban was upheld preventing Huawei from bidding for work on the country’s national broadband network.
Australia’s previous ‘Labor’ government cited concerns over security to justify the ban when it was put in place last year.
A spokesman for Huawei said since the company began in 1987 it had become a major player in the telecommunications industry.
He said the company invested heavily in research and development and was a world leader in the new 4G technology.
The company has worked in the UK and Europe for 12 years and has worked with BT since 2005.
A statement from Huawei deputy chairman Ken Hu said: ‘We can confirm that we have never received any instructions or requests from any government of their agencies to change our positions, policies, procedures, hardware, software or employment practices or anything else, other than suggestions to improve our end-to-end cyber security capability.
‘We can confirm that we have never been asked to provide access to our technology, or provide any data or information on any citizen or organisation to any government, or their agencies.’
A statement from the Isle of Man government said: ‘Huawei is the world’s second largest telecoms company serving the majority of the world’s largest telecoms operators, with products and services in around 140 countries including the United Kingdom and many European countries.
‘Given the extent and scale of the company’s global relationships it is unlikely its involvement with Manx Telecom would attract adverse international political attention.’