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

My focus is on delivery, not dates. I am very much focused on delivering this matter. The roll out of the national broadband plan has already started. Commercial companies are spending €1.7 million per day on foot of the plan. In the coming weeks we intend to make significant progress on that. I included in the programme for Government a mobile broadband and wireless task force due to the challenge in reaching some communities and some homes. That task force will have a significant impact on the delivery of 4G and wireless services over the coming 12 months.

Next month will see the auctioning off of the 3.6 gHz spectrum, which will provide additional bandwidth for wireless and mobile operators. That will help them to roll out their services and expand the services currently available. In tandem with that, I have allocated €8 million to RTE to release the 700 mHz spectrum.

They will start work on that this summer and that will facilitate us in rolling out 5G throughout the country.

See this speech in context