Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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995. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter regarding the broadband service in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans to address the serious concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20674/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) expired in August last, in line with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. The NBS, combined with private sector investment in the broadband market over recent years, means that there is now a choice of commercial operators offering basic broadband services, over a diverse range of technology platforms throughout Ireland.

With reference to the particular quality of service issues outlined in the Question, since the customer is being served by “3” in its commercial capacity, my department no longer has a role in the resolution of performance issues. The provision of electronic communications services occurs within a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent market regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). If, after having exhausted the service provider’s complaint handling procedures, a customer is not happy, they may contact the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, on 1890 229 668, online at or by email at for further assistance and guidance.

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at . The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention.

Based on information provided by commercial operators, 100% of premises in the Athy area will be covered by the commercial sector by the end of 2016. Members of the public should access the map for themselves to establish the precise status of their individual premises. I note that other mobile services providers are also upgrading 3G and 4G services across Ireland with at least one operator already having 94% population coverage of 4G.

Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 3 to 5 year period.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.