Dáil debates

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage

 

9:00 am

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendments because the purpose of this section is solely to obtain information to formulate policies and plans to deal with emergencies and network security issues. Deputy Broughan referred to MANs and his amendment regarding the provision of information on the technical and financial performance of such networks. That is covered by way of contract between the Department and the manager of the networks, which is e-net.

It is proposed that information on national and international telecommunications, financial stability and investment in infrastructure can be gathered by ComReg pursuant to its functions and pursuant to section 13(d). That issue is, therefore, covered.

With regard to amendment No. 20, the purpose of the provision of information under section 13(b) is to enable the Minister to formulate plans and policies to deal with emergencies and network security issues. The information referred to in the amendment is collated by ComReg and, therefore, there is no need for it.

The Deputy asked a number of questions about MANs. Companies that oppose the concept generally make a case against such networks on the basis that they represent a duplication of facilities and so on. However, these are fibre-based telecommunications networks, which are the networks of the future, because fibre, unlike copper, does not suffer bandwidth restrictions. It is also future proofed in terms of its ability to adapt to new technologies. The Deputy referred to convergence and increased customer demand. A number of commentators have written nonsense to the effect that we have spent a significant amount on these networks but they are not making money. However, they are not expected to make money in the first few years and it will take 15 years for them to pay for themselves. MANs are a classic example of future investment and the provision of infrastructure before it might be used or in demand. They offer bandwidth more than 100 times greater than that available currently.

MANs have performed another useful function, to which the Deputy adverted but to which the critics do not refer, in that they provide open access. Anybody who wishes to access a MAN can do so, unlike other networks. We have spent a great deal of time debating the difficulties of local loop unbundling over the past two or three years. One of the effects of MANs is they have driven down prices in various places because they have provided competition. I do not suggest the programme is perfect but MANs are a vital part of the telecommunications infrastructure because they will permit operators to graduate to next generation networks or NGNs, which is extremely important.

A total of 27 towns and cities have MANs, all of which are being managed by e-net. This company maintains, manages, markets and operates them on behalf of the State. Phase 2 involves the construction of 90 additional networks nationwide. Construction has started on 23 towns — approximately one third — in the north east, Galway, Longford and Donegal and it is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year along with construction works in Cork, Roscommon, Mayo, Wicklow and Fingal. It is anticipated that the remaining MANs will be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2008.

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