Written answers

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 446: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to provide a broadband service to communities who cannot avail of broadband from existing suppliers and are not covered by the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When considering the exclusion of certain unserved premises from the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), it is important to clarify that, in designing the NBS, which was approved by the EU Commission, a balance had to be struck between reaching as many unserved areas as possible and minimising the impact of the scheme on businesses already providing broadband services in rural areas.

EU State aid and competition rules govern how States can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers. The nature of broadband networks is such that they provide a coverage footprint over a certain area rather than an individual link to isolated premises. It was essential to guard against the NBS coverage footprint spilling over, to an extent which would be unacceptable from a state aids perspective, into surrounding areas already served by existing service providers. Accordingly, to try to include individually unserved premises that are located within EDs deemed to be already served within the scope of the NBS would have given rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion and therefore, such areas had to be excluded.

It is expected that over time, as competition increases and technology develops, service providers will be attracted to offer service to any such premises located within currently served areas. My Department is also considering how isolated unserved rural premises might be addressed by an appropriate intervention within State aid rules.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.