Telecommunications Minister Michael Scott is maintaining the Island?s right to use a potentially lucrative satellite spot, after a report from the Isle of Man said it had priority over Bermuda.

Isle of Man Treasury Minister Allan Bell said that Bermuda?s claim that it continued to have equal rights to use this area of space was a case of ?just covering their backs and protecting their position?, according to a January 24 report

?We have rights to the slots, but if we don?t use the slots they have the right to pick them up afterwards,? he told Isle of Man Online.

Mr. Scott, in an earlier January statement, said that any inference that Bermuda had lost the war that has been brewing between the two islands for use of the satellite slot was ?categorically? untrue. A Government spokesman this week confirmed that was still the case.

?The assertion? that the Isle of Man has won the right to the slot is incorrect since Bermuda and the company that represents the Isle of Man are currently engaged in coordination discussions,? Mr. Scott said previously. Mr. Bell didn?t deny that discussions were still ongoing between ManSat, the Isle of Man?s space representative, and Bermuda on satellite-related business.

Bermuda and the Isle of Man have been locked in conflict for a few years mainly due to the fact that their respective slots are too close to be used without careful coordination.

Mr. Scott said one of Bermuda?s slots ? the Island won outright access to two in 1983, and the right to use a third along with some Caribbean countries ? was ?a mere 0.3 degrees away? from the Isle of Man slot. The tussle over this area of space likely has to do with its location. A slight moderation to the Bermuda slot?s footprint would put it in position to broadcast into the central US, although permission to do so would have to be negotiated.

Bermuda was awarded the right to use the spot ? located at 96.2 degrees west ? at a United Nations broadcasting conference more than 20 years ago, but has yet to actually make good on use of the slot.

As it stands under the agreement, Bermuda has the right to beam broadcasts from its two slots into Bermuda, and possibly the UK, and also may now be able to extend that into the European Union.

Bermuda officials have previously said use of each of its two slots could bring in annual revenues in the region of $850 million, although the net income would be lower. And that development of this business had lucrative business potential, and could be a complement to the Island?s financial services industry.

The Isle of Man says it is actively trying to attract more satellite operators to its shores, and has said a transaction in the works for five satellites could see 1 billion euros brought into the island?s economy.