The Enterprise Minister says his department paid Manx Telecom more than £264,000 in 2025 to support below ground infrastructure instead of telegraph poles.
Tim Johnston said the funding was strictly limited to intervention zones identified in the National Broadband Plan.
The objective was to deliver fibre past premises in areas deemed not commercially viable.
The payments totalled £264,776.85 and were made in February, May, July, October and November 2025. The final payment was made after the NBP contract concluded in August 2025.
Applications
The department said it understands that Manx Telecom has made more than 30 planning applications spanning both NBP and non-NBP areas.
The costs referenced relate to ten of those applications, all inside NBP zones.
“Following completion of the contract the final payment was made in November 2025 and the Department has not funded any further telecoms infrastructure works since,” the minister added.
Manx Telecom has had several applications to install poles for fibre rejected by planners across the island, with only a small number being approved for the rollout.
The question was raised by Mrs Lord-Brennan, the Member for Glenfaba and Peel.