Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which unilaterally or in conjunction in the Regulator, any efforts can be made to improve the quality and availability of mobile telephone service with particular reference to the need to achieve a level of uniformity and good quality nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44025/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent, if any, to which the quality and extent of mobile telephone service compares with that available in other jurisdictions; if it is expected that any improvements can or will be made in this regard in the foreseeable future by way of reference to service providers or the regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44026/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 127 and 128 together.

The provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Licences to provide mobile telephony services are granted by ComReg pursuant to the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926, as amended, and have been issued to the following Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Vodafone, O2, Meteor and H3GI.

These licences, among other things, require MNOs to provide a minimum level of national population coverage and quality of service. However, the design of the network is a matter entirely for the relevant operator. In practice in all cases networks exceed the minimum stipulated coverage and quality of service requirements for commercial reasons. Compliance with licence requirements is assessed by means of a bi-annual drive testing programme conducted by ComReg.

I am advised by ComReg that there are four MNOs providing commercial third generation (3G) mobile services in the Irish market. As well as the four MNOs currently offering services, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and H3GI, there are also a number of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Ireland who have entered into commercial wholesale network access arrangements with MNOs which permit them to offer their own branded 3G retail mobile services to customers such as Tesco Mobile Ireland, Postfone and Lycamobile. These 3G services compare favourably with the technology deployed in other markets, pending the wider future roll out internationally of the next generation, 4G, networks.

In Ireland, ComReg is currently in the process of awarding spectrum rights of use across three critical bands – the 800Mhz, 900Mhz and 1800Mhz bands – for the period 2013 to 2030. This award process is a vital step in allowing for the next generation of advanced mobile services to be made available for Irish consumers and businesses from next year.

It should be noted that the Universal Service Obligation (USO) to ensure nationwide access to basic standard telecommunications services relates to the provision of such services at fixed locations or premises only. This obligation is currently addressed to eircom using fixed lines or equivalent connections to connect premises at fixed locations where no other service provider will do so, on a commercial basis.