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

There is big ambition for providing fibre but none for mobile services. I am talking about establishing a shared rural network with all the operators on it. This would be complementary to the national broadband plan. There are similar models already operating in other markets, such as the UK and Germany. In fact, such a shared rural network is currently being built out in Northern Ireland. The estimated cost of doing that in Ireland is between €30 million and €50 million. That is small money and it would also slash the cost of the provision of an emergency and Garda communications network which must now be re-tendered and a new network built.

I am aware the telecoms industry is already engaging with the Government via IBEC to progress a phase 1 proof-of-concept roll-out of this particular shared rural network model. That will cost approximately €5 million if implemented in the short term. This project would ensure all operators have equal opportunity to provide a service in rural locations and would ensure in the short term that those communities with the poorest service today got an immediate benefit in the form of improved mobile phone coverage. It would be just like what we are doing with the national broadband plan, where we are giving universal access to a network available to all of the operators.

The Minister of State mentioned the auction that is to take place with ComReg. I ask that a small portion of that money, perhaps between €30 million and €50 million, be ring-fenced to establish a shared rural network across this country to ensure everyone has access to a 5G network.

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