Isle of Man Guide

• Island ahead of comparator countries in terms of universal broadband coverage
• Broadband take-up in ‘top tier’ of global internet countries
• Isle of Man remains competitive with comparator countries on price and broadband speeds*
• Report available to download

The Isle of Man Government today launches the findings of an independent benchmarking report** conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) into the provision of broadband on the Isle of Man. The report offers a holistic assessment of the telecommunications products and services provided to residents and businesses, and how this offering compares to broadband services in other comparator countries in terms of price, speed, access and penetration.

The report recognises that significant investment in the telecommunications infrastructure, resulting in the launch of Next Generation Technologies and the current roll out of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line 2 plus (ADSL2+), has ensured that the networks on the island are ‘leading edge’. PWC also applauded the fact that, despite its low population density, difficult topography and resultant economic challenges that go hand in hand with infrastructure roll out to the rural areas on the island, the Isle of Man has 100% broadband access.

In terms of broadband penetration, the report also ranks the Isle of Man within the upper tier of broadband nations, with a 31.7% population penetration (EU broadband average penetration 22.9%) and a 72.3% household penetration. The findings reveal the Isle of Man to be ahead of the UK and the Republic of Ireland in this respect and, of the small island comparator countries selected, the Isle of Man is second only to Jersey on penetration as measured by population.

The report’s pricing review reveals that, in general, the cost of monthly residential broadband products are reasonably priced compared to other comparator countries, although connection charges are higher. Isle of Man monthly broadband prices measure particularly favourably when compared on a cost per megabit basis, with the Isle of Man offering 8MB/s for a monthly subscription charge of £18.55, compared with Jersey and Guernsey who offer speeds of 2Mb/s for a monthly fee of £17.99 and £24.99 respectively. The report also notes that the upgrade of the Manx Telecom fixed network to ADSL2+ technology will enable download speeds of up to 16Mb/s without a change in monthly prices.

Table One: Residential broadband packages used for comparison purposes

Similarly the Isle of Man’s business packages with download speeds of 8Mb/s and a contention ratio of 50:1 are competitively priced with Guernsey, Jersey and Gibraltar, although comparing less well with Malta and the UK. However Manx telecom does offer business packages with lower contended ratios of 20:1 for an extra £20, a tariff that still remains competitively priced with other comparable market providers.

Table Two: Business broadband packages used for comparison purposes

Minister for Trade & Industry Hon David Cretney MHK commented, “The development of affordable, high speed broadband is a key prerequisite to continued economic growth on the island. The report recognises the positive impact that the significant investment in fixed and mobile cutting edge technologies has had on the range of services being offered to residents and businesses on the island, and we remain committed in working to sustain our position as a global leader in telecommunications infrastructure.”

Communications Commission Director, Dr Carmel McLaughlin commented, “Manx Telecom has made great strides in improving its relative position for a number of products over the past 12 months. We will duly consider the recommendations detailed in the report in terms of further improving the competitive supply of broadband on the Isle of Man, to ensure that residents and businesses alike continue to receive quality services that are fairly and reasonably priced.”

Director of e-Business and Space Commerce Tim Craine added, “The results of this latest survey have provided Government with up to date comparative prices. They will be useful to prove to potential inward investors that, as well as Manx Telecom providing a world class telecoms infrastructure, pricing of services is competitive.”

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