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

Broadband services are provided in the Irish market by the private sector, with appropriate regulation from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The role of Government is to ensure that the appropriate regulatory regime is in place and to also invest directly in the case of market failure such as the proposed National Broadband Scheme. The latest figures from the OECD show that Ireland experienced the fastest growth in broadband take-up in the OECD and had a penetration rate per capita of over 18%. ComReg has found that 40% of Irish households had a broadband connection at the end of September 2007. I expect that ComReg data for the current quarter will confirm that we are now at the 50% household penetration mark.

The broadband challenge is now moving to ensuring more widespread access becomes available to provide quality services over ever increasing bandwidth. Internationally, telecommunications is moving to next generation broadband to deliver greater quality, speed and service to the consumer. This is happening where there is strong competition and incentives to innovate. There is evidence on the supply side of greater band width being made available at lower prices such as the recent offerings by two companies of 12Mbps and 15Mbp's at €40 and €45 per month. Our ambition is for Ireland to make a quantum leap forward in this new digital communications environment. The development of faster and cheaper broadband products will be an important part of that change.

An advantage may also come to those countries which adapt their telecoms infrastructure to the fast changing computer and media industries. These industries are evolving rapidly as new network formats such as "cloud computing" and new mobile platforms become available. While bandwidth speed is important the crucial development in adapting to this new ICT world may be the widespread availability of access through wireless, mobile, fixed line, cable and fibre. Such ubiquitous access should provide the right environment for existing broadband applications to thrive and newer, better applications to evolve. The accumulation of such new applications can then help the commercial development of faster broadband connections. As a country with a very dispersed rural population it will be hard for us to overtake other countries that are already rolling out fixed fibre connections to the home.

However, as a location of many leading global technology companies and with a very active software and digital media industry we could get a real head start in adapting to this fast changing digital world. Our next generation policy paper will be published shortly, setting out the regulatory, investment, demand stimulation and other measures that the Government will consider in an attempt to assist such a progressive development.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans to supply ComReg with powers to fine Eircom for line faults, in the context of that company's universal service obligation and the continuing high levels of faults and problems with data being supplied to ComReg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10686/08]

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

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), already has enforcement powers under the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users' Rights) Regulations 2003, as amended, concerning eircom's performance in relation to the provision of its universal service obligations. ComReg may specify parameters for the provision of universal service obligations, including repair of line faults and require the designated universal service provider to publish information concerning same. ComReg may also set performance targets to be met in respect of certain universal services, as it deems appropriate from time to time. The Regulations permit enforcement action in the event of failure to comply with a direction issued by ComReg following persistent failure to meet performance targets.