Manx Telecom is looking at alternatives for its rollout of fibre broadband in the south of the island after a backlash from residents.

Residents in the Ballacriy Estate in Colby have rejected the company’s plans to instal telephone poles around the estate for the roll out of high-speed internet.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse wrote to update residents after a meeting between residents, politicians and MT planned for Thursday was postponed until January.

Mr Moorhouse said: ’The reason for the delay is that Manx Telecom is currently reviewing the alternative options. This will include getting clarity on the price for microducting the estate.

’They are also reviewing alternative techniques. It has now been agreed that full clarity on the best options is necessary before going any further with this project.’

The former teacher is set to ask three questions in this week’s Keys sitting surrounding the installation of fibre broadband and other planned infrastructure works in the Ballacriy Estate.

While the issue has been focussed on Colby, it appears that the rollout of fibre will largely be done by the use of telephone poles across the island with both MT and the government citing the cost of burying the lines as a big reason for this.

However opponents of the plans for the use of poles labelled the plans ’backwards’ and called on the government to ensure the new wiring is installed below ground.