Written answers
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Telecommunications Services
9:00 pm
Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of take up of the rural broadband scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the inadequacies in this scheme; if he will explain the way in which he intends to meet the EU target of 100% broadband internet coverage by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24198/11]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Rural Broadband Scheme closed for applications on the 29th July last. Some 4975 applications were submitted by that date and these are now being processed to ensure they comply with the Scheme's eligibility criteria viz. that the applicant's premises is located in a rural area which is not already covered by the National Broadband Scheme and that the applicant can not obtain a service from an existing commercial operator.
I am unaware of the deficiencies in the service as referred to in the Deputy's Question. The scheme's technical specifications have yet to be finalised but will mirror what is available currently under the National Broadband Scheme. This is essentially a basic broadband service with contractually agreed speeds.
Ireland is on target to meet the first of the EU's Digital Agenda milestones of having a basic broadband service available to all areas by 2013, through a mix of private and public (NBS and RBS) interventions.
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