Written answers
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Telecommunications Services
12:00 pm
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 784: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the provisions of broadband under the national broadband scheme in an area (details supplied) in County Sligo. [29288/09]
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 785: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [29289/09]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 784 and 785 together.
Broadband services are provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre by private sector service providers. I understand that broadband is available in Lecklasser, County Sligo from wireless and satellite service providers. 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 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. More recently, the EU Commission has announced the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP). My Department is currently considering how isolated unserved rural premises, including any unserved premises in Sligo, might be addressed by an appropriate intervention under the EERP and within the State.
Details of the availability of broadband services in Lecklasser, Co Sligo are in the following table and are also available at www.broadband.gov.ie. Broadband Service Providers in Lecklasser, Ballintrillick, Co. Sligo
Platform | Service Provider | Website | Phone |
Wireless | Fastcom Broadband | http://www.fastcom.ie | 1890 71 71 71 |
Satellite | Applied Solutions | http://www.ADSLnow.ie | 1890 924 854 |
Avonline | http://www.avonlinebroadband.co.uk | 0044 800 073 1102 | |
Broadband Wherever | http://www.broadbandwherever.net | 0044 800 068 3358 | |
Cross Country Broadband Limited | http://www.crosscountrybroadband.com | 053 92 55428 | |
Digiweb Satellite | http://www.broadband.digiweb.ie | 042 939 3300 | |
e3 Broadband | http://www.e3broadband.ie | 1850 303333 | |
ehotspot | http://www.ehotspot.ie | 0044 1262 409109 | |
Eircom Satellite | http://www.eircom.ie | 1901 | |
Fastnet Broadband Satellite | http://www.fastnetbroadband.com | 01 2303746 | |
Media Satellite Ireland Limited | http://www.mediasat.ie | 1850 202 144 | |
National Broadband Limited | http://www.nbb.ie | 045 982130 | |
Orbitlink | http://www.orbitlink.ie | 01 8601995 | |
Pure Telecom Limited | http://www.puretelecom.ie | 01 2895555 | |
Satellite Broadband Ireland | http://www.satellitebroadbandireland.ie | 044 9372514 |
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