Press Release - Copper Decommissioning
Published On:Monday, March 10, 2025
10th March 2025
CURA is the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority for the Isle of Man and we are the independent regulator for the Island’s telecoms sector.
Since the introduction of the existing network over a century ago telecoms services, including voice calls and broadband, have been traditionally delivered to consumers over copper wires, however this is set to change. To ensure that your needs and protection are kept at the heart of the copper switch-off process, work has been on-going behind the scenes involving ourselves, the Department for Enterprise, the Office of Fair Trading and industry-wide service providers (BlueWave, Domicilum, Manx Telecom, Opti-Fi, Starlink, Sure and Wi-Manx). Many homes will already have various other options, such as fibre, wireless broadband, or satellite, but the process and alternative services may differ from person-to-person.
Manx Telecom’s copper network will be replaced with a fibre optic network and the process of rolling out fibre is nearing completion. This means that the old copper network is being withdrawn from service; consumers who still have a copper-based service will have to switch to another service to stay connected. The entire copper network is scheduled to be switched off by 2029.
The plan that has been put in place will give consumers as much notice as possible that the copper service in their area will be withdrawn and you will be contacted by your service provider to let you know exactly what will happen. The Island has been divided into 6 different Zones and each Zone will be transferred in phases. Copper withdrawal will begin in March 2025 with Zone 1 (to include Foxdale, Kirk Michael and St Johns) and Zone 2 (Andreas, Ballaugh, Bride, Jurby and Sulby). It is expected to take 12 months to complete Zones 1 and 2. Dates for Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be confirmed in due course.
Whilst many consumers/users have already switched away from the old copper service, and many others are preparing to, there are going to be a number of people on the Island who will need some extra support and advice during this process and we are all working hard to put this in place.
If you rely on copper-dependent technology such as care devices, lift lines, alarm lines or similar systems, please contact your service provider to discuss a tailored transition plan. If you are someone who may need additional assistance, please contact CURA by telephoning us on 677022 or emailing enquiries@cura.im.
Additionally, if you know somebody who may need additional assistance, please make sure they make themselves known to us.
Information is also available at www.copperswitchoff.im (this website will be kept updated regularly throughout the copper switch-off process).
CURA’s primary concern is that there are a number of consumers who, for varying reasons, may not have enough information and support to be aware of their future loss of telecoms services. We are working with community and third sector organisations to reach as many people as possible and will be writing to households in the near future to explain the copper switch-off process in more detail and provide independent information, support, and advice as it is needed.