Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps being taken to improve the quality of mobile telephone coverage here. [32043/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect.  Mobile operators have, however, invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. The rate of demand for data services has however increased by 500% in the last four years and this presents a continuing challenge for mobile operators, regulators and policy makers both in Ireland and internationally.

Recognising this challenge, I specifically  included in the Programme for Government, a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. In July, I established the Taskforce, together with Minister Humphreys, which aims to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services. The Taskforce has already met 11 times, with a number of helpful initiatives emerging in the areas of planning, local authority engagement, and consumer information and engagement.

The Taskforce involves Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecoms operators. I anticipate that we will bring a report to Government by end 2016, on foot of its work.

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

In addition, I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total  spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.

I have also secured an €8m provision for RTE in my Department's estimates for 2017 to allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band.  ComReg in turn will make plans to auction this spectrum, to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage.  The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances. I also intend to discuss with ComReg, the possibility of introducing elements within the auction process, which would ensure that blackspots are identified and adequately addressed.  

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

In parallel, the National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland, through private investment and a State intervention in areas where commercial investment have not been fully demonstrated.

The procurement process is underway and the three bidders in the process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland.  Intensive dialogue with bidders is ongoing, with a view to putting in place contract(s) that will deliver the NBP network and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.