Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the roll out of MANs broadband in Boyle and Castlerea, County Roscommon will be implemented and funding for same put in place as had been agreed. [28108/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The primary role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers. Previously, where the market has failed to meet the demand for telecommunications and broadband services, the Government has intervened to address the market failure. Previous intervention initiatives include the construction of the open-access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). The MANs Programme involves the construction of high-speed, open-access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in towns and cities nationwide in partnership with local and regional authorities.

Phase 1 of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) programme provided open access, high-speed broadband networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country. Phase 2 of the MANs programme is underway. However, MANs Projects in 28 towns were suspended, pending consideration of the findings of a Value for Money and Policy Review and a Next Generation Broadband Policy Paper both of which were published last week.

Future investment in broadband, including any investment in additional MANs, will be guided by: the outcome of the consultation on Next Generation Broadband; the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review; and other analyses as appropriate.