telegraraph poles

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The Communications Commission does not hold information on the number of new telegraph poles erected in the last 2 years.
• Installation of new telegraph poles requires planning permission, details of which are available via the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture.
• Manx Telecom currently holds a total of 2489 telegraph poles used for electronic communications services.
• Manx Telecom may require 273 new telegraph poles to complete its fiber deployment across the Island.
• Manx Telecom is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Data Disclosed

• 2489
• 273
• 2 years
• 2025-12-09
• 2026-01-08
• 5151501

Original Request

Could you please tell me how many new telegraph poles relating to fiber installation have been erected in the last 2 years .

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: 5151501 6 January 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 9 December 2025, which states:

"Could you please tell me how many new telegraph poles relating to fiber installation have been erected in the last 2 years ."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (the Authority) does not hold the information that you have requested with regards to the erection of new telegraph poles in the last 2 years.

The Authority notes that the installation of new telegraph poles is subject to appropriate planning permissions. Details of current and historic planning applications are publicly available and can be viewed on the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture’s Planning and Building Control Directorate’s website at https://pbc.gov.im/online-applications/. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Planning and Building Control Directorate for further assistance. You may also wish to contact Manx Telecom to request the information you require (although Manx Telecom is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act).

If it is of further assistance, the Authority holds some general data in relation to telegraph poles. The data indicates that Manx Telecom has a total of 2489 telegraph poles, which are used to deliver electronic communications services (over both copper and fibre technologies) across the Island. The data also indicates that Manx Telecom may require 273 new telegraph poles in order to complete its deployment of fibre for the remaining parts of the Island. As confirmed above, Manx Telecom would need to seek planning permission for these new poles.

Please quote the reference number 5151501 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.