Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he intends issuing an instruction to ComReg, as he is empowered to do under the acts to lay down the minimum coverage requirements for any new mobile licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function. In accordance with its statutory functions, ComReg has consulted extensively on its proposals for the release of spectrum rights of use in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands and the auction has now commenced.

I am advised that ComReg received a considerable number of responses to this consultation process. These were considered prior to finalising the proposal for the award of a number of individual rights of use in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz radio spectrum bands. The documents are ComReg Document 12/25 and Decision 04/12 published on 16 March 2012. ComReg's information memorandum for this award process, which is now in the auction application phase, details the processes and procedures ComReg is employing to implement its substantive decisions.

The reasons, analysis and other material relied upon by ComReg in support of its decisions on the minimum coverage and roll-out requirements are set out in section 5.5 of Document 12/25. Among other things, ComReg considered that actual coverage levels are expected to exceed the 70% population obligation by a considerable margin given the competitive nature of the market and the limited risk of roll-back of coverage from the existing levels. It should be noted that the four existing mobile operators have achieved coverage levels exceeding those set out in their current respective licences. For example, for 3G services, Vodafone's coverage covers 90% of the population, 5% more than its obligation. Hutchison 3G, better known as 3, covers 96% of the population, 11% more than its obligation. O2 also covers 90.5% of the population, which is more than its obligation.

Additional Information not given on the floor of the House.

ComReg also notes that coverage continues to be an important competitive differentiator in the mobile telecommunications market. Any deterioration in coverage by any one network would undermine that network's attractiveness to its existing and potential customers. The importance of maintaining the existing levels of mobile telephony and mobile broadband coverage has been raised with ComReg by my officials. While the outcome of the forthcoming multi-band spectrum release process cannot be anticipated, I understand that ComReg is not expecting any reduction in coverage as a result of the process. In all of the circumstances, I do not believe that a policy direction concerning this matter would be appropriate at this time.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge what was in the Minister's reply in regard to the extent of the coverage. To what extent has monitoring been done on the quality of coverage in the areas covered? In some cases, there are dropped and missed calls, a lack of service and the signal is below 50%. As a consequence, the consumer may not be getting good value for money. Has any work by done by the regulator, or has the regulator pursued that particular angle?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Yes, there has. As Deputy Durkan suggested, it is of varying quality. There are still pockets where calls are dropped and so on, as he suggested. However, immensely valuable quality spectrum is being released for the first time which will greatly enhance broadband and mobile services and it will make a considerable contribution to improving connectivity generally. Obviously, there are areas of the country, whether for reasons of topography, distance from masts or whatever, where one still relies on a pretty basic service. I hope to address that in a different area arising from the task force on next generation broadband which I chaired with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, and which comprised the chief executives of the leading telecommunications companies. I hope that the national broadband plan, which we will publish as a result, will give Deputy Durkan some comfort in this area. What we are talking about is not unique to Ireland, these difficulties obtain in most countries in the more difficult rural areas in particular, although not only in rural areas. What is coming down the track will be a considerable improvement.