Written answers

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

8:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the broadband services available in an area (details supplied) in County Offaly; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that broadband services are available in some parts of this area and not in others; his plans to expand the current provision of services in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3421/11]

Photo of Pat CareyPat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter in the first instance for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis, including County Offaly.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. The area of Shannon Harbour was not included in the NBS as it was deemed to be already served by at least one other service provider.

Since the completion of the roll out of the NBS in October 2010, there is at least one service provider offering a broadband service in all areas of Ireland. Attention is now being focussed on isolated cases where broadband is not being delivered due to technical or line of sight reasons.

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I will formally announce the launch of a Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS), shortly. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas. As Shannon Harbour is not covered by the NBS any un-served premises in that locality will be eligible to apply under the scheme.

There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS and that the scheme will be fully rolled out by the end of 2012.

I am satisfied therefore that between the services being provided by the commercial operators, the service now available through the NBS and the forthcoming RBS, which will target individual un-served premises, Ireland will very shortly be fully served from a broadband perspective.

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