No decision has yet been made on the deployment of Fifth Generation technology on the island.

Widely known as 5G, it is the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, and is said to offer faster speed and more reliable connections.

The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda, which oversees the telecommunications industry, said it was disappointed that Horizon Communications had said it would be ready to launch services using 4G and 5G technology in Bermuda.

The company mentioned its 5G ambition in an announcement yesterday, when it said it was waiting for the RA to release new integrated communication operating licence application forms so that it could apply and, if accepted, host fixed wireless internet services on the island.

There has been a six-year moratorium on the issuing of new ICOLs, however the Bermuda Government lifted the moratorium this year and the RA subsequently conducted an extended public consultation last month and earlier this month to establish conditions and requirements for new licences. That process is ongoing.

Denton Williams, chief executive of the Regulatory Authority, said: “We are disappointed that Horizon Communication chose to publish their intent to deploy 5G based technologies, as the RA very recently advised them that there would be no consideration given to 5G at this time.

“Our position is that deploying 5G will result in a significant change of technology and its use. To make a comprehensive assessment of its viability for Bermuda will require the input of the public and our stakeholders, through our normal public consultation process. Until such time, 5G will not be deployed in Bermuda.”

The first substantial deployment of 5G technology was made in South Korea last month.

While today, the first 5G service in the UK was rolled out by the company EE, although the network is limited to six cities. Also today, Sprint became the third major US telecoms carrier to launch a 5G network; that network serves four cities, including Atlanta and Dallas.