Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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278. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Government policy on investment in 4G mobile telecommunications technology and the potential, as a lever, to connect Irish households and businesses who currently do have high-speed broadband provision; if he has examined the potential of investing in the latest 5G infrastructure via public private partnerships with the technology industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10769/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Investment in telecommunications technology is primarily a matter for industry, which operates in a liberalised market. The provision of mobile telephony services, is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum by way of licence. 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. Licences issued by ComReg apply terms and conditions on Mobile Network Operators, such as quality of service and minimum population coverage obligations.

As Minister for Communications, one of my key objectives is to ensure that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the commercial telecommunications sector through the promotion of investment in state of the art infrastructure and the provision of a supportive legislative and regulatory environment.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services, and are facilitating the rollout of 3G and 4G mobile services. All of the mobile operators are continuing to invest in the deployment of 4G services and the enhancement of 3G services. These enhanced mobile data sevices are now expected to extend significantly beyond the footprint of 70--85% population coverage which was envisaged by industry when the National Broadband Plan (NBP) was agreed in 2012. One operator states that it already has 90% population coverage of 4G. Investment in 5G technologies is not envisaged in the short term as this technology is still at the conceptual stage; commercial rollout is not, therefore, anticipated.

Investment by the State can only occur where there are proven instances of market failure. As you will be aware, my Department is currently developing a detailed intervention strategy as part of the National Broadband Plan to ensure that every home, school and business, regardless of location has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This State-led intervention will focus on areas where commercial services will not be provided.

It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will also be delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and businesses. In terms of technologies to deliver these speeds, we must observe a policy of technology neutrality so as to comply with the European Commission's State Aid guidelines.