Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

250. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which improvements in quality and speed of broadband is envisaged over the next two years with particular reference to the need to meet the requirements of customers as matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21877/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

252. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to what extent he has identified the existence of particular black spots in respect of the availability of broadband services, when he expects such issues to be address in full with particular reference to meeting the needs of the business, domestic and commercial sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21879/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 252 together.

The National Broadband Plan is a priority for Government. The Plan is being delivered through a combination of investment by telecommunications operators and a State Intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming. This is reflected in the High Speed Broadband Map, atbroadband.gov.ie.

The areas marked BLUE on the map are where commercial providers have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.  The areas marked AMBER represent the State Intervention area. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by entering their address or Eircode. They can also email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.

There are over 750,000 premises in the Intervention Area. Last week, I announced that a further 170,000 premises may need to be covered by the State Intervention. Further analysis is being undertaken by my Department to identify the exact location of these premises and to adjust the High Speed Broadband Map.

The Department has now moved to the next stage of  the procurement process and three qualifying bidders will commence dialogue with the Department next week. This will be followed by the issue of final tender documents and the current schedule envisages contract(s) award in June 2017. The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors, including the complexities that may be encountered during the process.

The Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of  poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will be balanced with the efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place and a detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.

The Programme for  Government recognises the on-going frustration of consumers with the quality of mobile phone and broadband services. It therefore commits to the establishment of a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland.  My Department is engaging with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to the terms of reference for the Taskforce.

The Taskforce will involve a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecommunications operators and will be established over the coming weeks. I expect that the Taskforce will consider all of the factors contributing to coverage disruptions. Measures arising from the Taskforce will be implemented by Government as a matter of priority.  This will help alleviate the challenges facing consumers who may have poor mobile data coverage as well as poor broadband.

My Department has already conducted a number of meetings with vendors and mobile operators to help inform the process and identify what tangible measures can be taken. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.

The Programme for a Partnership Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of county or regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

251. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to what extent comparisons continue to be made with the quality, scale, standard and availability of broadband and mobile telephony in this jurisdiction with that available in other European Union and non-European Union competing jurisdictions, if the upgrading required is adequately provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21878/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Commission’s Europe's Digital Progress Report 2016ranks Ireland 15th of the EU 28 and ahead of the EU average. In the mobile market the EU Commission ranks Ireland 9th highest within the EU and ahead of the EU average. In wider international comparisons, the OECD ranks Ireland 25th of 34 countries for fixed broadband connections per 100 inhabitants. In the mobile market the OECD ranks Ireland 13th of 34 countries for mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants which is ahead of the OECD average.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is addressing the remaining deficit in access to high speed broadband networks in Ireland. It aims to provide access to high speed broadband services in every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through commercial investment by telecommunications networks providers and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.

The Programme for Government also commits to the adoption of measures to assist in the rollout of broadband networks.  In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s)  to deliver the State intervention has been awarded.

The Programme for Government  also commits to the establishment of a mobile phone and broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland.  My Department is engaging with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural, Regional and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to the terms of reference for the Taskforce to ensure delivery of the Programme for Government commitment.  The Taskforce will involve a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecommunications operators. My Department has already conducted a number of meetings with vendors and mobile operators to help inform the process and identify what tangible measures can be taken. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.