Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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557. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the results of the public consultation of Pascal Lamy's report on the future use of the ultra high frequency, UHF, spectrum band, 700 MHz in Europe, regarding wireless broadband; if this will be considered for rural areas into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27487/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The public consultation into the Lamy Report was conducted by the European Commission, and a summary of the responses is available at the following website: www.ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/results-lamy-report-public-consultation-700mhz-spectrum-band. Ireland has engaged in discussions at an international level, including within the EU, on the 700MHz issue and agrees with the general principles contained in the Lamy Report. On a national level, as part of a recent consultation into future Spectrum Policy in Ireland, the Department requested opinions on the future of the UHF Band in line with EU considerations to repurpose some of this spectrum for wireless broadband use. These responses have been published on the Department’s website.

We recognise the benefits that could be gained from repurposing the 700MHz for wireless broadband in the future, and are currently examining how this might be best implemented. This process must of course take account of the requirements of both the broadcasting and wireless broadband sectors, as well as ensuring that the overall benefits to the State are maximised.