Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

84. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will engage with the mobile telephone service providers about the poor and sometimes non-existent coverage in rural Tipperary and insist that they cease cherry picking the high population urban centres while neglecting the rural population, in view of the fact that many small businesses in rural Tipperary are depending on mobile Internet coverage to operate their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29965/16]

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

Telecommunications service providers operate in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of ComReg.

Notwithstanding the independence of ComReg, I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect.  The Programme for Government therefore committed to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. In July, I established the Taskforce, with my colleague, Heather Humphreys. The Taskforce has already met 11 times and is considering immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland.

The Taskforce involves a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecommunications operators. Measures arising from the Taskforce will be implemented by Government as a matter of priority. I expect that we will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.

Under the Programme for Government Minister Humphreys is also establishing two regional action groups. Working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies these groups will help accelerate the rollout of broadband and mobile telecoms services at local level.

These new structures at a national and local level, are designed to address as far as possible immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage.

In addition, I intend to sign Regulations over the coming days, which will allow ComReg to proceed with an auction of the 3.6GHz spectrum band in early 2017.  This auction will provide an 86% increase in total harmonised spectrum available for mobile, nomadic and fixed wireless broadband services. 

I have also secured €8m in the Budget for RTÉ which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to auction this spectrum, which will provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage – 4G and 5G.  My Department has already established a working group with ComReg and RTÉ, to deliver this important project.

These initiatives should assist in significantly enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland, and particularly in rural Ireland.

In the meantime any customer, including those in County Tipperary and its environs, who experience service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance. If this fails to resolve matters, customers can refer a complaint to ComReg, who will investigate the service provider’s compliance with its contractual obligations.