Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In 2015, leading figures in the world of telecommunications stated that anything below 25 MB could no longer be defined as broadband.  As we are all aware, the European Commission has set 30 MB as the basic speed needed for a viable service. In 2016, several reports highlight the fact that only one third of Irish premises are consistently reaching speeds of 15 MB and above. The remaining two thirds of premises are enduring speeds of less than 15 MB, with a majority of premises in rural areas suffering Internet speeds of less than 4 MB and as low as 1 MB.

Broadband speeds in rural Ireland are way below the European Commission viable service measure of 30 MB. According to international standards, we should not even define rural speeds of 1 MB to 4 MB as broadband. By these standards, rural Internet access speeds in Ireland should be labelled as "low" band and, in many instances, "no" band. Rural citizens are suffering glorified dial-up Internet access, with far reaching and negative consequences for rural homes, business and education, as well as aspects of social and cultural life in rural areas.

In my county of Tipperary it is estimated that there are 41,000 properties without broadband, 8,000 of which are businesses of varying sizes, each attempting to compete in a wider marketplace. Large towns such as Clonmel, Thurles, Nenagh, Tipperary and Templemore are well served by commercial operators. Other smaller towns and villages throughout County Tipperary require immediate intervention by the Government. No business in today’s world can expand and develop without fast, reliable, high speed broadband. It is a basic ingredient needed to progress. What is the use of developing other infrastructure outside main towns and cities when a fast, effective and reliable broadband system is absent? Poor broadband is a destructive obstacle to rural business growth and, consequently, to rural job creation and employment.

The digital divide that exists between rural and urban business impacts upon the delivery and development of education in rural settings. Rural primary and secondary schools have invested in the latest tablets, laptops and interactive whiteboards. To maximise the educational potential of these IT resources, teachers and pupils need decent broadband facilities. How can rural pupils compete with their urban and international peers if they do not have the same opportunities to develop their digital literacy skills? This is a pressing and current form of disadvantage in education which must be addressed as a matter of priority. The landscape of third level education in particular has been reshaped and has evolved in response to demands for e-learning course platforms and facilities. Given the poor standard of broadband speeds, if a person wants to pursue third level education or other online educational opportunities, he or she is at a major disadvantage if he or she lives in rural Ireland.

Inadequate broadband must be recognised as another significant factor prompting rural dwellers to flee their locality in favour of greater prospects in urban areas and elsewhere. Rural dwellers can rightfully feel abandoned and unable to compete, despite their professional capabilities, as they watch urban-based establishments continue to thrive in the unfair, two-tier system that currently exists. Ireland and rural Ireland needs to be able to compete in the global economy now. A five-year timeline or greater is too long and too late. We can no longer permit ambiguity and hesitation around the national broadband plan. We need confirmation that it will be implemented with certainty. Therefore, I would ask if the State could fast-track further the necessary capital funding to expedite the promised roll-out schedule which would grant an earlier delivery date of rural broadband to the majority neglected homes and businesses. It must be remembered that broadband is a basic and essential utility.

Broadband has become, and remains, the single most essential feature of the 21st century for home life, business life and educational development. Businesses and educational institutions, whatever their size, remain the very lifeblood of every economy. If entrepreneurship, small and medium enterprises and the necessary digital skills are to be encouraged to thrive in rural Ireland, access to broadband is essential if we are to work, grow and compete fairly in a national and global economy.

I am encouraged by the Minister's particular interest and commitment and by the fact he has taken the initiative to make this issue a top priority in his Department. Consumer price can be protected through regulation in the chosen ownership model. I would ask the Minister to roll out the scheme as a matter of urgency and without further delay.

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