Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005; the measures he is proposing to bring forward to reform the regulation of the telecommunications sector; the proposed timeframe for such reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13628/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The drafting of the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was approved by Government this week and this legislation is a priority for the Minister on the communications side.

The Bill includes proposals on: enforcement of regulatory obligations; powers for ComReg to investigate over-charging; regulation of .ie domain name; and emergency call handling service. The proposals have been the subject of a public consultation and the details are available on the Department's website at www.dcmnr.ie.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to generate serious interest in the provision of nationwide broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13810/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason for the slow rate of progress in the provision of broadband services and facilities here; the action he proposes to take or direction he intends to issue to all involved with a view to ensuring a competitive technological edge for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13784/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 98 together.

The provision of telecommunications services, 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.

A principal reason for the slow roll-out of broadband services generally has been the lack of investment by the private sector in the necessary infrastructure to deliver broadband to all areas. The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the regions by building high-speed, open-access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre-optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country.

This programme has been extended to over 90 towns in various locations nationwide. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities 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. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this programme.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning, and the Department's wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The construction-installation phase is now under way and the project is on target for completion within the set timeframe.

In 2004 there were over 80 Internet service providers; today there are over 156 companies, with at least 45 different broadband offerings. Wireless broadband technology is improving rapidly, and the lowering of equipment prices has made this technology much more attractive of late. The use of fixed wireless local access is increasing, especially in rural areas that cannot obtain ADSL connectivity, and the development of Wi-Max offers considerable potential in the future.

In late 2004 the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, set targets for the industry — to increase subscriber numbers to 400,000 by the end of this year and 500,000 by the end of 2007. When he set this target, there were only 100,000 subscribers. Current rates to December 2005 stand at 270,700 — 6.6% penetration rate — and the Minister hopes that these targets will be achieved.