Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the exchange in Creeslough, Letterkenny, County Donegal will be enabled to provide broadband in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22690/09]

Eamon 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. In order to provide broadband services to areas that are not currently served by 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. The general area of Creeslough, County Donegal, will be provided with broadband services under this scheme.

3 is currently planning the construction and roll out of the infrastructure required for the provision of the service. Challenging roll out targets have been agreed with 3. Services were launched in a small number of rural areas at the end of April 2009 and the entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010. However, 3 is not in a position at this juncture, to predict the progression of site roll out in advance of obtaining the necessary 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. Details of the areas to be covered by 3 under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs.