Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on doubts over the accuracy of the broadband coverage map and therefore the area to be addressed by the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43626/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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"3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, was appointed as the Preferred Tenderer for the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) on 25 November 2008, following an open tender process using the "competitive dialogue" procurement process.

As regards the accuracy of the mapping for the scheme, a comprehensive mapping process has been undertaken. This process involved:

contacting service providers for details of their broadband coverage;

inserting service provider data on a broadband coverage map using specialist expertise and software;

consulting with the Irish Regional Authorities to request that they confirm, as far as was possible, the broadband coverage information provided in the maps;

requesting from the Regional Authorities information on any other service providers excluded from the mapping process; and

contacting additional service providers identified by the Regional Authorities and including their coverage on the map.

The resulting broadband coverage led to the creation of the indicative NBS map, which was updated during the procurement process as appropriate, in consultation with the service providers. In light of the above I am satisfied that all reasonable have been taken steps to ensure the accuracy of the map.