Written answers
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Telecommunications Services Provision
Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of the planned launch of the 4G LTE mobile networks in Europe and particularly in the UK including Northern Ireland in the coming months, he will provide a timeframe for the expected auction of spectrum and the completion of the 4G network here. [44435/12]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. 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 advance mobile services to be made available for Irish consumers and businesses, and roll out of 4G is one of the key elements of the Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August. This aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020. The process of awarding of spectrum rights is entirely a matter for ComReg and cognisant of the commercial sensitivities surrounding the process I am not in a position to comment on its progress at this time.
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