Written answers

Thursday, 16 November 2006

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the towns and village in Cork south west which presently have access to wired broadband. [38406/06]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including wired 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. The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to support the private sector developing a competitive, affordable, and innovative market that offers choice of products and providers to Irish consumers and businesses.

However, it has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband. My Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. These Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. The networks offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.

Twenty-seven MANs have been completed under the first phase and are currently being managed by ENet, the Management Services Entity. The second phase extends the programme to over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that do not have a satisfactory broadband offering from the private sector.

The Department also offered funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the 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 160 projects have been approved for funding under this Programme. The most recent call for proposals has now closed and the question of a further round of financial assistance is under consideration.

The following projects were approved under the group broadband scheme for the Cork south west area and these are now operational.

Castletownbere

Carrigadrohid

Glengarriff, Bantry, Schull and Ballydehob

Mount Gabriel

Castletown, Bengour and Greenville

Ardfield and Rossmore

Castletownshend.

There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, my Department operates a dedicated website, www.broadband.gov.ie, where potential broadband customers can ascertain the availability of services in their area.

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