MHK questions financial support for installing fibre

An MHK has questioned whether social housing tenants will have to pay to access fibre broadband, and if they're being provided with financial support to do so.

Manx Telecom is currently rolling out the technology across the Island as part of the National Broadband Plan, with the aim of having every home connected by the time the copper network is shutdown in 2029.

But with planning permission for telegraph poles in certain areas being refused, some property owners are facing installation fees.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse has asked the enterprise minister how many people are affected:

Minister Tim Johnston says his department does not provide financial support towards the cost of connecting to the fibre broadband network, however, the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (CURA) is actively considering the introduction of socially targeted tariffs for broadband services. 

He says CURA’s findings and recommendations are expected to be published in the coming weeks.

You can see Minister Johnston's full response below:

"The Department does not hold data relating to individual financial contributions made by social housing tenants, or indeed any tenant or homeowner, towards the installation of fibre broadband infrastructure. 

"Broadband services on the Island are delivered by a range of retail providers utilising various technologies, each of which operates under distinct pricing models and installation requirements and the cost of connecting a property to the fibre network is determined by the nature and availability of existing infrastructure. 

"In areas where properties are served by telegraph poles, residents typically incur no installation charges, as connections are facilitated via overhead lines. 

"In contrast, where neither telegraph poles nor underground ducts are present, customers seeking a connection may be required to fund the installation of new infrastructure across their land. Such cases are assessed individually by the relevant service providers. 

"The Department does not provide financial support towards the cost of connecting to the fibre broadband network, however, the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (CURA) is actively considering the introduction of socially targeted tariffs for broadband services. 

"The Department understands that CURA’s findings and recommendations are expected to be published in the coming weeks"

Manx Radio has contacted Manx Telecom for comment.