Affordable internet tariff research gets go-ahead

Jason Moorhouse MHK said 10% of people on the island were "digitally excluded"

A call for the Isle of Man's communications regulator to look into affordable internet tariffs has been backed by Tynwald members.

Jason Moorhouse MHK told the court "low-cost" rates from telecoms providers, to prevent affordability from being a barrier to getting online, should be considered.

He said the service could be a "proactive measure to tackle digital exclusion".

But questions were raised about how changes might affect providers and their customers, and the scale of the issue.

A Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (CURA) report from February 2023 found there was "likely to be a need for a social tariff in the Isle of Man".

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Mr Moorhouse called on members to back further research by the authority into possible measures to make the internet more affordable, so people could send emails, contact doctors or engage socially.

He said the issue had been a concern of his since the first lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic when "some households simply could not afford one extra bill".

'Massive difference'

Alex Allinson MHK said members should be "wary" of the potential "ramifications in terms of the general population and the overall cost of internet services if we try to carve out some specific groups Tynwald think are more worthy than others".

Questioning how many people were likely to be affected, Michelle Haywood MHK and asked if the CURA was the "right body to be assessing the need".

Mr Moorhouse admitted the scale of the issue was "unknown" and of the "10% of people who are believed to be digitally excluded on the island, we may end up with a small percentage who are interested" but such a package could "make a massive difference to some".

The tariff should be set "at a price that ensures that costs will be covered" so as to not "punish providers", he added.

Political representative of CURA, Ann Corlett MHK, said the regulator did not "foresee any issues in implementing this proposal in principle, but any regulatory intervention would be subject to public consultation".