Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 790: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the national broadband scheme; the number of projects which will be completed by end 2009 under that scheme; the amount of allocated funding which has been spent to date in 2009; and his plans for people who are on carrier lines in areas to be covered by the NBS. [29393/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In December 2008, my Department 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 located within the NBS area and who seek a service.

Challenging roll-out targets have been agreed with 3 and NBS services have already been launched in a small number of rural areas at the end of April 2009. The network is being rolled out progressively and 3 are on track to reach 48% of Electoral Divisions by year end. All of the EDs in the NBS coverage area are required to be enabled by the end of September 2010. The EDs to be covered by end July have been identified and are now highlighted on 3's NBS coverage map available at http://www.three.ie/nbs/index.htm. 3 has commenced its marketing campaign in these areas to announce the forthcoming service availability.

Further information regarding the NBS and the most up-to-date rollout information can be found by contacting 3's dedicated NBS customer service team on 1913 or by accessing 3's website at http://three.ie/nbs/

Details of the availability of broadband services in the specific areas not covered by the NBS are available at www.broadband.gov.ie

The overall Exchequer investment in the scheme will be €79.8m of which circa €16m has been spent to date. The project is eligible for EU co-funding under the ERDF 2007 – 2013. Any fixed residential or business customer including those on carrier lines within the NBS coverage area can apply for a broadband service under the scheme. Section WRPP follows.