Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 301: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the national broadband scheme to ensure that it will facilitate 100% broadband enablement here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19486/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the relevant companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

The availability of broadband services across the entire country is a key priority for the new Government. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has previously undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These included providing grant-aid under the recently concluded group broadband scheme and investment in metropolitan area networks (MANs) in over 120 towns and cities under the Regional Broadband Programme (RBP).

Despite Government investment in broadband in the regions through the RBP there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Accordingly, the procurement process for a new national broadband scheme (NBS) has commenced. This scheme will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The estimated timescale for the award of the NBS contract is December 2007, with roll-out of the services due to begin as soon as possible thereafter, subject to agreement with the chosen service provider.