James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter concerning the need for decisive steps to be taken to improve mobile phone telephone coverage in rural areas for individuals, businesses and emergency services. I will certainly bring to the Minister's attention his comments on the proposal for a shared rural network with costs estimated at between €30 million and €50 million. As I outlined, connectivity in rural areas, both fixed and mobile, is very much on an upward trajectory. Coverage at both a population and geographical level has greatly improved through the very substantial investments being made by commercial operators and through the Government's national broadband plan.

From a mobile perspective, in particular, a key determinant for quality coverage is the availability of suitable spectrum. Over the past decade, spectrum awards have consistently included appropriate spectrum that has allowed mobile operators to provide enhanced services for customers. ComReg is in the process of running another multiband spectrum award and this will include a number of spectrum bands, including the 700 MHz band. That band is important for the provision of widespread coverage, including in rural areas and on national transport routes. It is highly suitable for the provision of existing 4G and, over time, new 5G services. This is especially important in Ireland given our challenging demographic characteristics and the high and exponential costs associated with deploying very high levels of mobile coverage. This spectrum award process will incentivise commercial operators to continue to invest in their networks and to use the additional spectrum being made available to provide both enhanced and new services throughout the country, including in rural areas. Investment by commercial operators in their fixed and mobile networks, together with the Government's investment in the NBP, will position Ireland as a leader in digital connectivity in EU terms.

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