6 Feb 2019 08:00
6 February 2019
Manx Telecom Plc
Update on Goshawk Communications
Manx Telecom Plc (AIM: MANX), the leading communication solutions provider on the Isle of Man, is delighted to provide the following update on the progress of Goshawk Communications, which sits within Vannin Ventures, Manx Telecom's international growth vehicle, towards the UK launch of its innovative hearing enhancement product.
In September 2018, Manx Telecom announced the launch on the Isle of Man of MT clearSound, a new, personal mobile phone product which dramatically improves the clarity of mobile phone calls. At the same time Manx Telecom announced that the underlying Goshawk technology would be made available in the UK via the EE mobile network. In December at a Capital Markets Day, Manx Telecom provided further detail on the planned rollout using an MVNO structure, including the intention to unveil a new consumer-facing brand in February.
Today Goshawk Communications announces the brand name for the mobile phone proposition it will launch in the summer of 2019 as 'Audacious'. In line with the plan outlined at the Capital Markets Day, a company trading under this name and operating from its own premises under the leadership of CEO Rob Shardlow is now driving the continued development of the proposition and launch planning activities. Its current focus is on further building industry relationships and building the organisation's capability, before moving on to build consumer awareness nearer to launch.
The brand name will be supported by a vibrant brand identity, which delivers against three core design principles, which have proven importance with target customers - clear, human and connected.
In parallel with the launch of 'Audacious' in the UK market, Matthew Turner, Founder of Goshawk Communications, continues to drive the strategic development and global scaling of the proposition. He has secured three technology award nominations and two speaker slots at Mobile World Congress later this month to raise the profile of the technology within the global mobile network operator community.
Rob Shardlow commented: "I am proud to announce 'Audacious' as our brand name, in the UK. It captures, powerfully, the ambition that we have to improve peoples' lives and the confidence we have that this will be possible."
Gary Lamb, CEO of Manx Telecom, said: "This marks another important step in the development of our plan to commercialise and scale the innovative and valuable Goshawk technology. We look forward to the launch of 'Audacious' as a new MVNO business in the UK, later this year."
For further enquiries, please contact:
Manx Telecom Plc | +44 (0)1624 636 400 |
Gary Lamb, CEO Iarla Hughes, CFO | |
Powerscourt Group (Public Relations) | +44 (0) 20 7250 1446 |
Elly Williamson Celine MacDougall |
About Manx Telecom
Manx Telecom is the leading communication solutions provider on the Isle of Man, providing a wide range of Fixed Line, Broadband, Mobile and Data Centre services to retail, business and public sector customers on the Island, as well as a growing portfolio of innovative hosting and "Smart SIM" solutions to global customers.
The Company focuses on providing outstanding customer experience, high-quality and high-availability networks achieving 99% 4G and 93% superfast fibre broadband population coverage, and consistent first-to-local-market roll-out of new products for homes and businesses.
Manx Telecom is the only operator of a Fixed Line network and is currently investing in state of the art 1 Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) broadband for both its consumer and business customer base. The Company has three data centres, two of which are Tier 3 designed, plus international connectivity, and its operations are business-critical to the economic strategy of the Isle of Man.
One of the Isle of Man's largest employers with around 300 staff, Manx Telecom plays a major role in the wider community through a range of activities including: charitable donations, sponsorships and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Manx Telecom is strengthening its core market position whilst exploring new market opportunities on and off-island, leveraging its telecommunications expertise and mobile technology platform.
Manx Telecom is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: MANX). www.manxtelecom.com
About Vannin Ventures
Vannin Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manx Telecom. It was formed as a stand-alone business incubator, to support the development and commercialisation of innovations in IoT and the wider telecommunications ecosystem.
Vannin Ventures forms effective relationships with entrepreneurs and growth businesses. As a flexible development partner and operational investor, Vannin Ventures supports early-stage innovation concepts through their initial development, to pilot launch (with the Isle of Man as an excellent test bed) and full launch, in the UK and international markets.
www.vanninventures.com
About Audacious
Audacious is a new UK mobile service, launching in the summer of 2019. Our mission is to deliver clearer mobile calls to people with hearing needs, empowering them to be part of the conversation.
Audacious uses clinically proven, world-first technology, which enhances call quality by tailoring the frequency and volume of each call to each customer's individual hearing needs.
Audacious will be launched on the EE network as an 'MVNO', offering packages of calls, texts and data, plus Audacious personalised call optimisation as standard.
www.audacious.co.uk
www.linkedin.com/company/audaciousmobile/