Broadband, phone and mobile operator Manx Telecom (MT), which serves premises across the remote Isle of Man, has revealed that they will begin “shutting down” their legacy copper telecoms network in 2025, with the full switch-off completed “no later than” 2029.
In case anybody has forgotten. Back in 2020 the Isle of Man Government agreed (here) to invest £10m with MT in order to help them extend the coverage of their gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network to 99% of local premises (41,000+) by around the end of 2025 (MT’s commercial investment of £50m would have only got them to 75%).
The rollout of fibre-optic broadband is already well underway, with over 90% of homes and businesses now able to access faster internet. More than half of the island’s population is already enjoying faster, more reliable internet through FTTP based services. This number will continue to grow as the transition continues.
However, the arrival of FTTP lines also means that MT’s legacy copper network will no longer be needed, which is similar to the gradual transition that is taking place across the United Kingdom via operators like Openreach (BT) and KCOM. The withdrawal of MT’s old copper network thus seems set to be covered by the operator’s existing £50m investment in new fibre.
Hugo van Zyl, Chief Technical Officer of Manx Telecom, said:
“The copper network switch-off is an essential step towards modernising the Isle of Man’s telecommunications infrastructure. Fibre broadband offers a more reliable, faster, and future-proof service for the island. Our goal is to ensure every home and business using fixed line communication services takes full advantage of this improved technology by 2029, ensuring the Isle of Man is ready for the digital future.”
The copper network is due to be switched off in phases on a region-by-region basis – residents and businesses will be notified well in advance of this. The BBC News has also discovered that the phasing is being split into six zones, with the disconnection of the first two set to begin in January 2025.
Disconnection zones
Zone 1: Foxdale, Kirk Michael, St John’s
Zone 2: Andreas, Ballaugh, Bride, Jurby, Sulby
Zone 3: Dalby, Glen Maye, Laxey, Peel
Zone 4: Braaid, Crosby, Glen Auldyn, Glen Vine, Maughold, Ramsey, Strang, Union Mills
Zone 5: Ballabeg, Ballasalla, Bradda, Castletown, Colby, Cregneash, Derbyhaven, Port Erin, Port St Mary
Zone 6: Baldrine, Douglas, Newtown, Onchan, Port Soderick