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

Grand.

The national broadband plan aims to deliver high-speed broadband services to households, schools and businesses throughout Ireland. The programme for Government commits to the delivery of the national broadband plan as a priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and by State intervention.  

Currently, approximately 1.4 million premises in Ireland can get high-speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Mbps from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.

My Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the blue areas on the high-speed broadband map on our website, www.dccae.gov.ie, to ensure that all premises can get access to services. Direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high-speed broadband services, they should inform my Department by emailing us at broadband@dccae.gov.ie. My Department is also actively monitoring developments of the commercial operators that might have an impact on the intervention area.

The formal procurement process to select a company or companies which will roll out a new high-speed broadband network within the State intervention area is being intensively managed to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and to date, we have had more than 500 hours of competitive dialogue. The three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future-proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond.A fibre-to-the-home solution means speeds not just of 30 Mbps but much higher, potentially up to 1,000 Mbps. 

My Department will shortly update the high-speed broadband map and finalise this intervention area to give certainty to the procurement process, taking into account industry investments that have not yet materialised in the blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State intervention area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the intervention area.

The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors, including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders during the procurement process.

I advise the Deputy that no one will be left behind.

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