Communications Commission
9 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 100.0%
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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2023-08-18 | Manx Radio Complaint | All information sent |
| 2023-06-06 | Telecoms Competition | All information sent |
| 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2020-05-29 | 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. | ||
| 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. | ||