Communications Commission
29 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 31.0%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Isle of Man Communications Commission reveal an authority defined more by what it does not hold than by what it discloses. A dominant theme across the dataset is the '5G Regulatory Black Hole,' where the Commission consistently deflects requests for technical safety data, mast locations, and equipment details (Cases 1104361, 1369037, 2048534). By rigidly categorizing itself as an 'economic regulator' rather than a technical standards body, the Commission effectively outsources accountability to the UK's Ofcom or private operators, leaving the public without localized data on critical infrastructure. This pattern of deflection extends to insurance liabilities and government funding, creating a fragmented picture of oversight where no single entity appears to possess the full scope of information.
Key Cases
Case 1224182 — This case represents the most significant obstruction of transparency, where the Commission withheld ALL information regarding the 'ConnectMann' government tender, citing commercial and security exemptions. It highlights a potential lack of public oversight on major government spending and infrastructure contracts.
Case 5234234 — A rare instance of high transparency regarding consumer rights. The Commission disclosed specific complaint statistics (19 total, 18 post-October 2025) regarding Manx.net email changes, providing concrete data on public dissatisfaction with a major local service provider.
Case 1371737 — This case is pivotal in understanding the 5G regulatory framework, revealing that the Sure 5G trial operates under a UK 'Test & Trial Licence' issued by Ofcom. It exposes the reliance on foreign regulatory bodies for local technology deployment.
Case 2357926 — Demonstrates the Commission's willingness to disclose sensitive economic data when it involves utility regulation. The release of Manx Gas retail margin percentages and calculation methodologies offers a clear window into how utility pricing is controlled.
Case 2620412 — A meta-case about transparency itself. The Commission admitted to a system error that caused a previous FOI response to be missing from the public log and corrected it, showing a mechanism for self-correction regarding its own disclosure obligations.
Related FOI Stories
The 5G Regulatory Black Hole — #1104361, #1104461, #1369037, #1370738, #1371438
Commercial Secrecy vs. Public Interest — #1224182, #1104461, #2357926, #5234234
Jurisdictional Ambiguity and Deflection — #1358241, #1358441, #1371438, #2085011, #2077745
Infrastructure Data Gaps — #1351741, #2048534, #2234041, #5151501
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-16 | Manx.net email accounts | All information sent |
| The request sought details on complaints regarding Manx.net email accounts, specifically focusing on the period following the October 2025 announcement of changes and the Junara payment option. The Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority disclosed 19 total complaints received since January 2025, with 18 occurring after October 2025, and provided a summary of the nature of each concern. | ||
| 2025-12-09 | telegraraph poles | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the number of new telegraph poles erected for fiber installation in the last two years, but the Communications Commission stated it does not hold this specific data. The authority provided general statistics on total existing poles and future requirements, directing the requester to planning records or the service provider for specific installation details. | ||
| 2024-12-31 | Settlement Agreements | All information sent |
| The requester asked for statistics on settlement agreements issued by the Communications Commission since September 2021 and a blank template. The authority responded that no such agreements have been issued during that period and no template is held on file. | ||
| 2024-02-27 | smart meters | Information not held |
| 2023-08-18 | Manx Radio Complaint | All information sent |
| 2023-07-25 | 5g | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| 2023-06-06 | Telecoms Competition | All information sent |
| 2023-05-10 | FOI response time to investigative journalist | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| 2022-09-09 | Unpublished Responses to FOIA Requests | All information sent |
| The requester asked for copies of Freedom of Information Act responses by the Communications Commission that were missing from the official Disclosure Log. The authority confirmed that all responses are published, identified one missing case due to a system error, and stated that the missing response has now been uploaded. | ||
| 2022-03-29 | Manx Gas - retail margin percentage | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the retail margin percentage set by CURA for Manx Gas, including calculation methods, benchmarking parameters, and correspondence regarding potential windfalls. The authority responded by disclosing the margin rate and directing the requester to publicly available consultation documents that detail the methodology and considered parameters. | ||
| 2022-02-02 | Location of 5G Boosters and Towers | Information not held |
| A request was made for the locations and types of all 5G towers and signal boosters on the Isle of Man, but the Communications Commission responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2021-11-11 | IOM GOV funding Manx Media | Information not held |
| A request was made for data on IOM government funding to Manx media institutions between 2010 and 2021, specifically regarding support for government plans or coronavirus efforts. The Communications Commission responded that the information is not held by them and suggested the requester contact the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2021-11-09 | decommissioned nuclear bunker undersea cables | Information not held |
| The requester asked for information regarding decommissioned undersea cables between nuclear bunker sites, specifically a declassified UK Ministry of Defence cable from the Lake District to Northern Ireland. The Communications Commission responded that they do not hold the requested information and therefore could not disclose it. | ||
| 2021-10-21 | How many 5G masts | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Communications Commission for the number and location of 5G masts on the Isle of Man and along Douglas Promenade. The authority responded that it does not hold this information as it is an economic regulator rather than a technical standards body, and the data resides with private operators not subject to FOI. | ||
| 2020-07-16 | Which entity will be making a decision about 5G and when? | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Communications Commission to identify which entity would decide on 5G implementation and when that decision would occur. The Commission responded that it does not hold this information because it is an economic regulator, not a policy-maker, and that telecommunications policy is set by the Council of Ministers. | ||
| 2020-07-16 | Proof of safety of 5G equipment | Information not held |
| The requester asked for evidence of CE mark certification and liability insurance for 5G equipment used in a trial by Sure to ensure public safety. The Communications Commission responded that it does not hold this information because it is an economic regulator, not a technical standards body, and does not manage government insurance details. | ||
| 2020-07-16 | In relation to the Sure 5G trial | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought clarification on the licensing, frequency usage, and planning permissions for Sure's 5G trial on the Isle of Man. The Communications Commission disclosed that Ofcom issued a technology-neutral Test & Trial Licence under UK legislation extended to the Island, though the response was cut off before addressing all specific questions regarding frequencies and planning breaches. | ||
| 2020-07-16 | In relation to the Sure 5G trial | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Communications Commission for details regarding the location, monitoring, and equipment of Sure's 5G trial on the Isle of Man. The Commission responded that it does not hold the requested information as it acts as an economic regulator rather than a technical standards regulator. | ||
| 2020-07-15 | Will the Government be banning Huawei kit in line with the UK? | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Communications Commission regarding the installation of Huawei 5G equipment and potential bans aligned with UK policy. The Commission responded that it does not hold the requested information as it is an economic regulator, not a technical standards body, and policy is set by the Council of Ministers. | ||
| 2020-07-08 | Public liability insurance re RF-EMF radiation. | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Communications Commission to confirm if the Isle of Man Government holds insurance covering injury claims from RF-EMF radiation caused by telecommunications networks. The Commission responded that it does not hold this information as it does not manage government insurance, suggesting the Treasury be contacted instead. | ||
| 2020-07-08 | Responsibility for telecommunications insurance liability | All information sent |
| The requester asked which body is responsible for verifying insurance coverage for telecommunications installations. The Communications Commission responded that no legal requirement exists under the Telecommunications Act 1984 for such insurance, meaning they do not perform these checks and the responsibility lies with the service providers. | ||
| 2020-07-01 | Digital map of telecoms assets and networks ownership | Information not held |
| A request was made for a digital map of telecoms assets and network ownership as recommended in a 2017 report. The Communications Commission responded that the information is not held because the task was not assigned to them. | ||
| 2020-05-29 | Restricted service broadcasting licences | All information sent |
| The request sought details on Restricted Service Licences (RSLs) granted in the last two years, and the Communications Commission disclosed a list of specific licences issued to Manx Radio for major sporting events in 2017, 2018, and 2019. | ||
| 2020-03-10 | IOM Government Tender - ConnectMann - Internet Connectivity - | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for all bid responses regarding the ConnectMann Internet Connectivity Lot 2 tender, but the Communications Commission refused to disclose any information citing commercial interests and security concerns. | ||
| 2020-01-10 | Statement of Programme Policy and Speech Content Assessment | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for the Statement of Programme Policy, Speech Content Assessment, and a detailed breakdown of a Manx Radio Breakfast Show. The Communications Commission provided the policy and schedule documents but stated it did not hold the specific show breakdown, directing the requester to Manx Radio, while noting the speech assessment is in the 2018/19 Annual Report. | ||
| 2019-12-17 | Re FOI 1050263 refer to Communications Commission re 5G spectrum | Information not held |
| A request for information regarding 5G spectrum testing, public notification, and opt-out provisions on the Isle of Man was directed to the Communications Commission. The Commission responded that it does not hold the requested information because spectrum licenses are issued by the UK regulator Ofcom and are technology neutral. | ||
| 2019-12-17 | Sure's 5G trial in Douglas re: frequencies, spectrum and equipment | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for technical details regarding Sure's 5G trial in Douglas, including frequencies, equipment, and insurance. The Communications Commission disclosed that it does not hold most technical information as spectrum licensing is managed by Ofcom and equipment details are commercial matters for Sure. | ||
| 2019-12-12 | Anti-monpolistic legislation | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details on active anti-monopolistic legislation regarding the Isle of Man telecommunications industry. The Communications Commission disclosed that regulation is primarily governed by the Telecommunications Act 1984 and the Fair Trading Act 1996, with a new Communications Bill currently pending. | ||
| 2019-06-24 | CCTV | Information not held |