Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If people are experiencing difficulty with mobile phone coverage, they should, please, first, go to the company involved and, second, to ComReg to express their frustration. That is vitally important. From talking to many Deputies and colleagues in west Cork and throughout the country, it appears that in areas where there had been excellent reception people are now experiencing decreased or non-existent mobile phone coverage. The recent merger between two mobile phone companies has led to a major mobile phone issue throughout the country. Similar to broadband, it is also rural communities that have been affected.

The management of radio spectrum is a function of the independent regulator for the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Licences issued by ComReg impose terms and conditions on mobile network operators, including minimum population coverage obligations. ComReg monitors compliance in that regard by means of biannual drive tests. However, given its independence, I have no statutory function in the matter of auditing mobile coverage. I am critically aware of the frustration being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Any customer, including those in west Cork and its environs, who experiences service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance. If the service provider fails to resolve matters, customers can refer a complaint to ComReg which will investigate the service provider's compliance with its contractual obligations. I have  passed on the details provided by the Deputy to ComReg for its attention. My Department is also following up directly with one of the operators in west Cork, where specific problems have been identified. I understand officials from my Department have been in direct contact with the Deputy.

Mobile network operators have invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. The rate of demand for data services has, however, increased by 500% in the past four years and this presents a continuing challenge for mobile network operators, regulators and policy makers, both in Ireland and internationally.

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Recognising this challenge, I specifically included in the programme for Government a commitment to a mobile phone and broadband task force. In July I established the task force, together with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, which aims to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services. The terms of reference of the task force state it will identify and recommend practical actions that can be taken to improve mobile reception and broadband access. The task force has met approximately 20 times, with a number of helpful initiatives emerging in the areas of planning, local authority engagement and consumer information and engagement. The task force involves Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecoms operators. I anticipate that we will bring a report later this month on foot of the work of the task force. The report will set out specific timelines for the delivery of its recommendations and actions.

Under the programme for Government, the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, has also established two regional action groups to work with local authorities, local enterprise offices, Leader groups and other relevant agencies in helping to accelerate the roll-out of broadband and mobile services at local level. In addition, I recently signed regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 allocation of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band. This will provide for an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.

In my Department's Estimates for 2017 I have secured €8 million for RTE to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg will, in turn, make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances. These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland. In parallel, the national broadband plan aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland through private investment and a State intervention in areas a where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.

The procurement process is under way and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution in rural Ireland. Intensive dialogue with the bidders is ongoing, with a view to putting in place contracts that will deliver the NBP network and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.

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