On Monday 22nd June, more than 100 delegates from up to 48 countries arrived on the Island for a week of meetings being held by the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).

The purpose of the ECC, which acts in close cooperation and consultation with the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association, is firstly, to develop policies on electronic communications activities in a European context and secondly, to forward plan and harmonise the efficient use of the radio spectrum, satellite orbits and numbering resources within Europe.

This meeting mainly focused on radio spectrum, the natural resource which is the basis for mobile phone, mobile broadband, terrestrial broadcasting, TETRA, satellite communications, and all existing and future wireless technologies.

Dr. Carmel McLaughlin, Director of the Isle of Man Communications Commission, welcomed the fact that the Isle of Man had been chosen as the venue for this important gathering: 'One of the main items of interest for this meeting will be the Digital Dividend, which is the spectrum released from switching off analogue television, clearly topical with the Island being in the vanguard of the digital switchover in Britain. 

'The ECC will be considering the results of important work on a whole range of issues.  In particular the outcome of the meetings here will have a major impact on how the deployment of new wireless broadband and satellite communications services across Europe takes place.'

ECC Chairman, Mr Thomas Ewers of the German Federal Network Agency, said 'The Isle of Man plays an important role in communications matters as a pioneer of new communications networks and services.

'I am very happy that through the Commission’s close association with Ofcom in the UK that we have the opportunity to hold our meetings in such a welcoming atmosphere.'

Delegates took time off from their busy schedule to attend a reception hosted by the Communications Commission in conjunction with the

Department of ebusiness and Space Commerce and ManSat at the Sefton Hotel on Monday evening (22nd June). 

Hon Adrian Earnshaw, Chairman of the Communications Commission and Minister for the Department of Home Affairs, said

'I am personally delighted that Ofcom in the UK and the delegates from the ECC have chosen the Isle of Man for their conference.  I know that the delegates are interested in our experience of the digital switchover and also the relationship the Island has with both the UK and Europe.

'What is decided here will have a significant effect not only for the Isle of Man but for Europe as a whole and I am pleased we will be

playing our part.'

Pictured: Tim Craine, Director of E-Business and Space Commerce; Dr Carmel McLaughlin, Director of the Communications Commission; Alex Downie, MLC Member of the Treasury with responsibility for the development of the Space Industry and e-Commerce; and Mr Thomas Ewers, Chair of the ECC and member of the German Federal Network Agency.