Written answers

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

11:00 am

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has identified any particular infrastructural deficiencies or requirements in the telecommunications sector which have prevented or might in the future prevent the provision of modern telecommunication services including broadband and mobile telephony in all areas throughout the country without exception; if he will issue directives to or through the regulator to the service providers with a view to achieving 100% availability of state of the art services at the earliest possible date; when this will be achieved or achievable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11465/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband and mobile telephony, 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 powers to influence the behaviour of private sector companies in relation to the provision of mobile telephony services. ComReg sets out the obligations on mobile network operators with regard to population coverage. These obligations are set down in the licence conditions for each operator. All four mobile network operators have complied with these targets to date. The mobile network operators in Ireland, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and 3 are all investing significantly in their networks and ComReg estimates that more than €600m is invested annually on mobile networks in Ireland.

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. That is why my Department has undertaken initiatives to address issues regarding broadband coverage. These include investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in over 120 towns and cities. These MANs will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. Complementary to the MAN networks, the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme (GBS) has funded over 120 projects specifically aimed at smaller communities.

However, despite Government and private investment in broadband I am aware that there are still some parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. A Steering Committee comprising officials from my Department and ComReg is currently finalising a scheme, entitled the National Broadband Scheme which will address the question of availability of broadband to unserved areas.

The Steering Committee has met with Service Providers and key stakeholders about this scheme. The scheme, when it is fully rolled out, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in unserved areas of the country are met. Work on the design of an appropriate public tender is under way.

There has been a large increase in the number of operators who offer Broadband services. In addition, there have been welcome signs in the last year that public take-up of alternative means of accessing broadband such as cable broadband and fixed wireless has begun to take off. The continuing development of Wi-Max and other wireless and mobile broadband technologies offers considerable potential for the future.

Migration to Next Generation Networks is currently being considered by Service Providers and will generate many issues with wide implications for regulation, competition, investment and service delivery that need to be addressed. Therefore I consider it essential that all stakeholders are working together to ensure that Irish business and consumers have choice and that competitive products and services are being offered.

To achieve this migration, I intend to establish a National Advisory Forum to advise me on progress towards Next Generation Networks. The Forum will be charged with having a blueprint in place by the end of 2007 on the migration.

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