GD 2018/0020 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RESPONSE TO THE POLICY PRIORITIES & ACTIONS CHIEF MINISTERS WORKING GROUP ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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1 GD 2018/0020 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RESPONSE TO THE POLICY PRIORITIES & ACTIONS CHIEF MINISTERS WORKING GROUP ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS

2 Background The Chief Minister has a vision that the Isle of Man has a world class telecoms infrastructure which supports business and the community and is driven by innovation. High speed, reliable and modern telecommunication networks for all are essential for future economic growth and are an increasingly important part of our national strategic infrastructure. In order to guide the development of strategy and policy in this critical area, The Chief Minister convened a National Telecoms Infrastructure Sub-Committee, in March The Committee gathered evidence and developed a report to the Chief Minister on its view of the priority policy areas for consideration. This document sets out the response from the Council of Ministers to the report. The Council of Ministers notes that since the initial report was commissioned and released in draft form, a number of initiatives have already been started and progress has been made in certain areas which were referenced in the report. The Bill, which started a number of years prior, in nearing completion and has just finished its second technical consultation with operators. The believe the new Bill will be in the branches by Q2, 2018 at the very latest. The Bill will introduce new regulatory powers and penalties which will enhance the s ability to manage the telecommunications markets. The legislation will create a framework which will support the implementation of the policy statements agreed by Council on the 8 th Feb Since the report s initial release the has also consulted on the introduction of a voluntary code of practice for broadband speeds and a will release the results of a consultation on ISP licences in the near future. The Office for Cyber Security and Information Assurance has been created within the Cabinet Office under the authority of the Executive Director for Government Technology Services. Their remit is to manage information risk, cyber security and data protection. Both Manx Telecom and Sure have introduced new roaming tariffs which include bundled EU allowances. Improvements in rural broadband have been made with the introduction of 4G broadband access plans. Both operators offered consumers the chance to try the product before purchasing a contract.

3 The Cabinet Office has consulted on planning reform, including the construction of Telecoms Infrastructure under permitted development orders, with the results of that consultation due for release shortly. The Council of Ministers considered the opportunities in the Committee s report and this document responds to those opportunities with policy statements, actions and commitments. The will work closely with industry stakeholders, the Cabinet Office and the on the priorities identified by Council with the aim to deliver a full telecommunications strategy by Pending the completion of that strategy Council agreed the following policies and initial actions:

4 Telecommunications Ownership Policy Statement Policy Response Date Owner Telecoms policy should be explicitly owned and appropriately supported, ensuring clear ownership of strategy and implementation. Telecoms policy should be explicitly owned and appropriately supported, ensuring clear ownership of strategy and implementation. Resource will be committed to support the implementation of the opportunities identified by the Committee. DfE will lead on the production of a national telecoms strategy COMPLETED October 2018 The telecoms infrastructure, including the existing cable and fibre network and subsea cables, should be treated as part of the Island s key national strategic infrastructure. The telecoms infrastructure, including the existing cable and fibre network and subsea cables, should be treated as part of the Island s national strategic infrastructure. Council will agree that telecommunications infrastructure, including existing cable and fibre network and subsea cables should be treated as part of the islands national strategic infrastructure. COMPLETED

5 National Broadband Standard Recommend the Isle of Man have an interim national broadband speed of 30Mb following consultation with telecoms providers and the. Incentivise and enable pricing, access and tariffs to engage vulnerable groups and encourage digital inclusion, including a low cost broadband product. The Isle of Man will have an interim national minimum broadband speed of 30Mb following consultation with Telecoms providers by 2020 We have public services which are fit for purpose, modern and provided in the right place Consult with Telecoms Providers on plans for an interim national broadband speed of 30Mbps Commence the production of a report to identify areas of society that are digitally disadvantaged or isolated Aug 2018 Sept 2018 & Cabinet Office

6 Planning and Wayleaves Current and future infrastructure should be shared where appropriate, ensuring the maximum use and reuse of resources to optimise delivery potential. Change planning policy to increase the use of code powers and mandatory mast sharing. Current and future infrastructure should be shared where appropriate, ensuring the maximum use and reuse of resources to optimise delivery potential. Planning policy should explore the use of code powers (for telcos) and mandatory mast sharing. Work will continue to develop in this area with input from the Strategic Infrastructure group. Review of the ECC will take place after the introduction of the new Bill. Ongoing Early 2019 & & Review all code powers to develop and implement a dig once policy and install appropriate ducting for fibre where appropriate. Align Easements and Wayleaves legislation and consider placing new obligations on building developers to support the installation of appropriate ducting. There should be a dig once policy. Where appropriate ducting for fibre should be shared Align Easements and Wayleaves legislation and consider placing new obligations on building developers to support the installation of appropriate ducting for fibre in new estates Changes to Wayleave legislation is currently underway by the MUA supported by the Department of Infrastructure. Changes to Wayleave legislation is currently underway by the MUA supported by the Department of Infrastructure MUA supported by DoI MUA supported by DoI

7 Undersea Cables a feasibility study to develop opportunities, options and recommendations regarding existing and future subsea cables. As a matter of urgency a feasibility study to develop opportunities, options and recommendations should be commissioned regarding existing and future Undersea cables. A feasibility study will be progressed immediately on the options for undersea cable provision. Dec 2018

8 Regulation and Legislation Telecoms providers should publish quarterly data online in a standard format which includes data speeds and the quality of phone signals. Regulator to monitor and regularly review how the Island compares with other jurisdictions and publish findings online. Regulator to ensure that providers only knowingly market and sell products and services that can be reasonably delivered to an acceptable quality and standard. Government to support partners to promote the Island as an open, secure and responsible testbed for trials of new technology. The will mandate broadband providers to publish average achievable speeds for broadband these figures should also be used when advertising. The Government will support partners to promote the Island as an open, secure and responsible test bed for trials of new technology Telecommunications providers will be consulted on the implementation of published achievable broadband speeds. Achievable broadband speeds will be used in advertising. The will continue to support and promote the Island as a responsible test bed for trials of new technology. March 2019 Q Ongoing &

9 National Broadband Plan The telecoms infrastructure, including the existing cable and fibre network and subsea cables, should be treated as part of the Island s key national strategic infrastructure. Government will drive the rollout of fibre to 80% of the Island s properties within 4-5 years to meet the needs of residents and businesses now and in the future. Government is committed to explore the options regarding telecommunications infrastructure being classed as an essential 4th utility. Government will drive the rollout of fibre to 80% of the Island s properties within 4-5 years to meet the needs of residents and businesses now and in the future. Council has agreed that it is committed to explore options on the telecommunications infrastructure being classed as an essential utility. Supported by Government, an initial 80% of the Island s population and businesses will have access to superfast fibre broadband within 5 years. Complete Ongoing