Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether fixed wireless broadband providers are an integral part of the delivery of broadband services to every home in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37948/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The management of the radio spectrum (including the allocation of radio spectrum, the award of spectrum licences and the associated application of terms and conditions and obligations) is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended.  ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function.

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.

I have no role or function in the delivery of the auction process, which is a matter for ComReg. Having regard to the independence of ComReg in the matter it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment on this matter at this time.

The aim of the National Broadband Plan is to bring competitively priced quality services to rural areas, through a State intervention to build a new high speed broadband network. It is envisaged that this network will offer wholesale services to multiple retailers, who can in turn offer competitive and affordable and high speed broadband to users.

The Plan aims to deliver high speed services to 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 private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. The formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.

The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:

- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.

The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State Intervention Area comprising over 750,000 premises in Ireland, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland. All three bidders involved in the competitive dialogue process are proposing a predominantly fibre- to- the –home network solution to connect rural Ireland. Wireless technology may also play a role in part of the overall solution.  It is a matter for the bidders in the process to put forward the technologies they believe are most appropriate to meet the NBP objectives.  

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether having more than three broadband providers in the country is beneficial for competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37949/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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As Minister with responsibility for overall telecoms policy  a key goal is to create and support conditions for sustainable services that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland. ComReg, in its role as regulator, facilitate competitive services in the broadband market. Competition has driven significant investments in cities and towns across Ireland, resulting in the delivery of quality services and competitive prices. The aim of the National Broadband Plan is to bring competitively priced quality services to rural areas, through a State intervention to build a new high speed broadband network. It is envisaged that this network will offer wholesale services to multiple retailers, who can in turn offer competitive and affordable and high speed broadband to users.