Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the speeds that mobile broadband can provide to customers in comparison to standard broadband; if speeds have been agreed with a company (details supplied) as part of their service level agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6440/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As part of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract, 3 will deliver the following minimum speeds at launch at the edge of cell:

Minimum download speed will be 1.2 Mbps while the maximum download speed is 5Mbps and

Minimum upload speed is 200Kbps while the maximum upload speed will be 1.8Mbps.

These speeds are comparable to what is currently available in the marketplace in urban areas. Additionally, the service will have a contention ratio of 36:1, a latency of 120 milliseconds and a 15 gigabit (12 down, 3 up) inclusive monthly allowance limit.

Under the terms of the contract, the NBS broadband products will be upgraded to higher specifications (speeds, contention and data caps) in July 2010 and October 2012 without any increase in the monthly recurring charge.

In recognition of the fact that some areas will be very difficult to reach using standard infrastructure, 3 will make available a satellite product, which is expected to cover around 5% of the NBS areas. The satellite product will have a minimum download speed of 1Mbps, a minimum upload speed of 128kbps, a maximum contention ratio of 48:1, latency of 800 milliseconds and an 11 gigabit (10 down, 1 up) inclusive monthly allowance limit.

I am satisfied that the NBS will provide speeds comparable with products available in the market for urban areas and greatly assist in bridging the digital divide.