Written answers

Thursday, 9 July 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

12:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian 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]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian 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]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon 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

PlatformService ProviderWebsitePhone
WirelessFastcom Broadbandhttp://www.fastcom.ie1890 71 71 71
SatelliteApplied Solutionshttp://www.ADSLnow.ie1890 924 854
Avonlinehttp://www.avonlinebroadband.co.uk0044 800 073 1102
Broadband Whereverhttp://www.broadbandwherever.net0044 800 068 3358
Cross Country Broadband Limitedhttp://www.crosscountrybroadband.com053 92 55428
Digiweb Satellitehttp://www.broadband.digiweb.ie042 939 3300
e3 Broadbandhttp://www.e3broadband.ie1850 303333
ehotspothttp://www.ehotspot.ie0044 1262 409109
Eircom Satellitehttp://www.eircom.ie1901
Fastnet Broadband Satellitehttp://www.fastnetbroadband.com01 2303746
Media Satellite Ireland Limitedhttp://www.mediasat.ie1850 202 144
National Broadband Limitedhttp://www.nbb.ie045 982130
Orbitlinkhttp://www.orbitlink.ie01 8601995
Pure Telecom Limitedhttp://www.puretelecom.ie01 2895555
Satellite Broadband Irelandhttp://www.satellitebroadbandireland.ie044 9372514

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