Written answers

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which comparison have been made between broadband and general telecommunications facilities, qualities and standards here with these available in other jurisdictions within the EU; the location at which the best facilities now exist; the means by which that was achieved; the degree to which this can be emulated in this jurisdiction over a specific period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24207/11]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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International comparisons of retail broadband services are conducted periodically. The ComReg statistical report for end 2010, for example, noted the latest OECD broadband data up to June 2010 ranked Ireland 13th of 19 EU states surveyed for fixed line broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants and 3rd of 18 EU states surveyed for wireless broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants. A wider report on broadband services in 72 countries published in 2010 by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, concluded that the broadband services currently available in Ireland are capable of meeting the requirements of today's broadband applications and overall, in terms of broadband quality and penetration, ranks Ireland 13th of the 72 countries studied.

I should point out that international comparisons must be viewed in context and can present challenges. Issues such as advertised versus actual speeds, geographic spread of services, topography, population density, and the number of people per household must all be taken into account when making comparisons between different jurisdictions. Ireland will however meet the EU target of having a basic broadband service available to all citizens by 2013. The challenge now is to accelerate the roll out of high speed broadband.

Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce has an important role, in this regard. In June of this year I convened the Taskforce which I chair and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market, and CEOs of some Internet Service Provider companies. The purpose of the Taskforce, which will conclude its deliberations by the end of this year, is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the regulator has been charged with responsibility or is otherwise required to monitor the quality, speed and availability of broadband and mobile telephony services in order to ensure that the standard here is at least up to that available in other jurisdictions throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24209/11]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The electronic communications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised since 1999 and, since then, has seen the steady growth and development of well-regulated competition in the provision of the full range of electronic communications products and services. Regulation of the provision of electronic communications services within the liberalised market is governed by the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications which was transposed into law in Ireland by the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. The applicable EU rules limit the regulation of electronic communications services, in the main, to the provision of electronic communications services by fixed line telephone, fax and dial-up internet access under a universal service obligation (USO) to ensure these basic electronic communications services are available to all EU residents. The EU Commission is currently engaged in a consultation process with a view to increasing the quality of electronic communications services covered by the USO.

It is also important to note that a key element of the consumer strategy of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is to monitor developments in the marketplace and understand consumers' requirements through a number of channels including (i) their dedicated Consumer telephone line; (ii) their award winning websites; (iii) the conduct of consumer and business surveys and their Consumer Advisory Panel. These processes enable ComReg to identify and respond to trends that impact on those using electronic communication services, including broadband and mobile telephony.

Additionally, in accordance with the Programme for Government, ComReg has been liaising with industry with a view to introducing an appropriate regime to ensure that advertised broadband speeds are actually delivered to end users.

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