Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason mobile telephone services here are more expensive than in almost all European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34508/05]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will issue a directive to ComReg to regulate mobile phone termination charges; the position of Ireland in the ranking of mobile phone charges across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34356/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 150: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to improve the quality of mobile telephony with particular reference to addressing the needs of call breakdown and costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34506/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 272: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to improve the quality of mobile telephony with particular reference to addressing the needs of call breakdown and costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34677/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 273: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason mobile telephone services here are more expensive than in almost all European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34679/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 303: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if instructions have been given to, or comment invited from, the regulator or service providers with a view to improving the quality of mobile telephone service here with particular reference to call breakdown or other losses of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34951/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 304: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when it is expected to bring the quality of the mobile telephone service here into line with the quality and standards in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34952/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 142, 150, 272, 273, 303 and 304 together.

I have no function in regulating of pricing for phone services, mobile phone termination costs or quality of service in the mobile market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing for phone services, mobile phone termination costs and quality of service is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations which transpose the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I have no information to say that Irish mobile charges are generally the highest in Europe. However, ComReg's quarterly key data for the Irish communications market for the second quarter of 2005 indicate that the Irish mobile operators' average revenue per user is the second highest in Europe; Switzerland has the highest.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions, taken initiatives, issued directives or received information from persons charged with the responsibility of the provision of broadband services here with a view to a dramatic acceleration in the provision of such facilities in line with his previously announced projections and in line with the provision and availability of such services in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34518/05]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 153: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received submissions from the public or private sector with regard to the provision of telecommunications services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 153 together.

The provision of telecommunications, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg's register of authorised undertakings currently lists no less than 196 companies offering Internet access services in Ireland with a wide variety of service levels.

My Department regularly reviews all aspects of the broadband market and holds discussions with broadband interest groups, both public and private, to listen to their concerns. These discussions are ongoing and look at all options over a range of issues regarding broadband supply and demand. A set of policy directions was issued to ComReg in March 2004. It included a direction on broadband, which encouraged ComReg to use regulatory and other means available to it to stimulate the broadband market. ComReg reports regularly to me on the implementation of these directions.

The rate of broadband uptake is dependent on access by the service providers to suitable infrastructure across the regions. My Department is addressing the infrastructure deficit, in co-operation with the local and regional authorities, through the regional broadband programme, by building high speed open access fibre based metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, using European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, and Government funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

Funding is also available for smaller towns and rural communities to become self sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. The construction and install action is also under way in the joint industry-Government funded broadband for schools programme. A sum of €18 million has been provided for this scheme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006.

In late 2004, the Government set a target of 400,000 broadband subscribers to be achieved by the end of 2006. Subsequently, broadband subscriber numbers have grown by 75%. The current take up for broadband is in the region of 10,000 per month and continues to grow across a range of technologies. The Government's broadband target is to be within the top half of EU countries by the end of 2007. The current ranking of Ireland against other European countries reflects the late launch of competitive, affordable broadband by private broadband service providers in Ireland and a slow take up by consumers.

However, Ireland's rating is improving. According to recent EU Internet statistics there are over 2 million Internet users in Ireland. This represents user growth of 163% in the last four years and a market penetration per population of 51.2%, which compares favourably with the EU average of 48.9%. Irish broadband prices are now below the EU average and this should have the effect of further stimulating demand.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the provision of flat rate dial up Internet access services to Internet users here as directed by his Department to ComReg in February 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34365/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Flat rate Internet access caller origination, FRIACO, was introduced in June 2003, following a policy direction issued to the Commission for Communications Regulation by my predecessor. I understand that there are approximately 100,000 customers using FRIACO at present.