Written answers

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

8:00 pm

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband services will be available to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the local exchange at Ballinrobe-Hollymount has been upgraded to supply broadband; the radius of Hollymount village which will be provided with broadband if the exchange at Ballinrobe-Hollymount is upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10285/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The enabling of exchanges for broadband purposes is a matter for the owners of the relevant exchanges. It is anticipated that the facilitation of greater competition via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms should encourage the more rapid enabling of exchanges for broadband.

My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service.

3 is currently planning the construction and rollout of the required infrastructure for the purposes of the provision of the service. Challenging roll out targets have been agreed with 3. Services will begin to be rolled out in April 2009 and the entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010.

The general areas of Hollymount, Co. Mayo will be covered by the NBS. However, 3 is not in a position, at this juncture, to predict the progression of site rollout in advance of obtaining the necessary planning permissions. One month prior to the NBS being launched in any given area, 3 will implement a marketing campaign to announce the forthcoming service availability. The campaign will include, inter alia, local press and outdoor advertising.

Details of the areas to be covered by "3" under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs. The Ballinrobe area in County Mayo is currently served by at least one service provider and does not fall within the NBS coverage area. A list of service providers offering broadband services in any particular location is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the company that is extending broadband services here; the person who appoints the surveying contracts work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10350/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, the independent regulator and are therefore independent in the performance of their functions.

I launched the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) on the January 22nd this year. My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the NBS. 3 is currently planning the construction and rollout of the required infrastructure for the purposes of the provision of the service. All works, including surveying contracts work, relating to the rollout of this infrastructure are a matter for 3.

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