Which entity will be making a decision about 5G and when?

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The Communications Commission does not hold information regarding the specific timeline or entity responsible for 5G decisions.
• The Commission acts as an economic regulator and does not mandate technology or set policy.
• Telecommunications policy on the Isle of Man is set by the Council of Ministers.
• The Commission operates under the framework of the Telecommunications Act 1984.
• The request was closed on 7 August 2020 with an outcome of 'Information not held'.

Data Disclosed

• 1370738
• 2020-07-16
• 2020-08-07
• 19th November
• 18 months
• two years
• Telecommunications Act 1984
• Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held

Original Request

Chris Thomas stated in Tynwald on 19th November, 'The Department for Enterprise, the Isle of Man Government and Tynwald without division actually approved that we were going to allow permitted development for the telecommunications industry; to allow for the benefits of fibre to the Cabinet (sic) [cabinet] from their (sic) [from there] fibre to the home; to allow for us to have various types of mobile telephony. We are not in anyway getting into this at this stage. The frequencies, even the general use of things like 5G, as the hon. questioner from Onchan has stated ' that is for another day, for another place.' We understand that he was agreeing with Mr Callister's earlier statement that '5G is still 18 months or two years' away from any sort of decision and there is still a lot of debate to have on that'. Could you please clarify when a decision is going to be taken on 5G, and by which entity?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Ivan Kiely Ground Floor, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas Isle Of Man, IM1 2SF Tel: +44(0)1624 677022 Fax: +44(0)1624 626499

Our ref: 1370738 7 August 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 16 July 2020 and which states:

"Chris Thomas stated in Tynwald on 19th November, 'The Department for Enterprise, the Isle of Man Government and Tynwald without division actually approved that we were going to allow permitted development for the telecommunications industry; to allow for the benefits of fibre to the Cabinet (sic) [cabinet] from their (sic) [from there] fibre to the home; to allow for us to have various types of mobile telephony. We are not in anyway getting into this at this stage. The frequencies, even the general use of things like 5G, as the hon. questioner from Onchan has stated ' that is for another day, for another place.' We understand that he was agreeing with Mr Callister's earlier statement that '5G is still 18 months or two years' away from any sort of decision and there is still a lot of debate to have on that'. Could you please clarify when a decision is going to be taken on 5G, and by which entity?"

The Commission does not hold, or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find this information. The Communications Commission (the Commission) is the National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors on the Island. In relation to telecommunications sector the Commission is an economic regulator charged with promoting sustainable competition in the Isle of Man. The Commission is not a technical standards regulator and does not mandate technology or equipment. The Commission works within the framework of the applicable legislation, the Telecommunications Act 1984. You may like to read the Future Use of Spectrum consultation and response available on the Government website https://consult.gov.im/communications-commission/future-use-of-spectrum/ The Commission does not set policy on telecommunications, this is set by Council of Ministers.

Please quote the reference number 1370738 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours faithfully