Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 197: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Skibbereen, County Cork, metropolitan area network project; when work will commence on connecting the fibre optic cable to the national system; if a supplier has been secured for the provision of the backhaul to the MAN system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8478/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1All the metropolitan area networks (MANs) including the MAN in Skibbereen are managed and operated by e|net who were appointed following a procurement process and who make the networks available to the telecommunications sector. All connections to the MANs are wholesale connections which may be used by the relevant service provider to provide services to multiple end users.

In the case of the Skibbereen MAN, e|net has been exploring various backhaul options with operators in the area. In the event that a business premises in Skibbereen wants broadband services delivered over a fibre connection, e|net would set out the possible options and costs. However, there has been insufficient market demand for fibre connections in Skibbereen to date. e|net remains available at all times to discuss the options for connection to the MAN with interested parties.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 198: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve the quality and availability of broadband in rural parts of County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8512/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2057The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market. 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. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.

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. EU State Aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. I am pleased to say that under the NBS broadband is now available in all Electoral Divisions in the NBS Coverage Area including in County Laois.

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

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 intend to formally launch a Rural Broadband Scheme shortly. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched.