Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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709. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered using his powers under section 13 of the Communication Regulation Act 2002 to ensure proper and effective use of the 3.6GHz spectrum to promote competition in the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37740/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The regulation of telecommunications operators is the statutory responsibility of ComReg in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services.

In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless telegraphy (3.6GHz Band Licences) Regulations, 2016 (S.I.  532 of 2016)). This will  allow ComReg to proceed to auction the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, and will provide an 86% increase in total  spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.  The liberalisation of this band is in accordance with EU rules, and will allow the band to be used for a combination of mobile and wireless services, providing better quality voice and data services to customers across Ireland.

The proposals by ComReg to allocate spectrum in this band have been the subject of considerable consultation by ComReg over a long period and the process to allocate that spectrum has already commenced.