Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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689. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when his Department will publish an updated spectrum policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4383/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Spectrum policy is part of the overall national policy governing the telecommunications sector in Ireland, which also covers next generation broadband, electronic communications services and international connectivity.  While the EU plays a leading role in relation to policy in respect of certain aspects of spectrum use and management, national policy also has a role to play in articulating the basis for spectrum management. As Minister, I have responsibility for developing effective policies for the regulation and optimal use of Ireland’s national radio frequency spectrum, underpinned by an appropriate legislative framework.

Implementation of those national policies rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) as independent Regulator with statutory responsibility for the day to day efficient management and use of the radio spectrum within the policy and legal framework set by the Government and the EU. 

My Department published a Spectrum Policy Statement in September 2010 and the National Broadband Plan which was published subsequently committed to a further review of spectrum policy.

My Department initiated a review in 2014 and held an extensive consultation with all interested stakeholders, dealing with a broad range of spectrum policy issues while respecting the role of ComReg as independent Regulator.  A significant range of issues and comments were received, all of which were considered.

As part of the consultation process, the Department stated its intention to amend the structure of the Statement of Policy to produce an overarching principles document and a shorter more focussed document which would set out the Department’s Medium Term Priorities for the next 3-5 years, to be updated on a more regular basis than the overarching principles.  While I have not yet published an updated statement, much work has been done by my Department in identifying the various medium term priorities. Focus moved from producing a statement to prioritising work items aligned to the various EU spectrum developments underway and in particular, the Digital Single Market (DSM) which is currently under active discussion.

As part of the DSM package of legislative proposals, the European Commission brought forward proposals to co-ordinate the release of the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. The proposals will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band, which is currently used by digital terrestrial television services (DTT) in Ireland. The Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of this band for ensuring the provision of broadband services in rural areas. The band is particularly attractive for wireless broadband services, allowing higher speeds and greater coverage over long distances.  Details of the Department’s work on this issue can be found on the Department’s website at .

My Department is in regular contact with ComReg, given its role in spectrum management. This has included consideration of the various issues emerging from the Department’s consultation process and from EU level discussions, prior to ComReg issuing its Radio Spectrum Management Strategy for 2016 to 2018 in June 2016.  That document sets out ComReg’s radio spectrum work plan priorities over the next two years.  In preparing the Strategy Statement, ComReg took into account its role, statutory objectives, all relevant obligations as well as material submitted in response to its own public consultation on the draft Strategy. ComReg is also conscious of the potential developments at EU level in respect of spectrum management which may impact on national spectrum strategies and policies in due course. 

The critical element emerging from the Department’s review of spectrum policy has been to ensure that our legal and regulatory environment support continued investment in mobile telecommunication infrastructure, which is dependent on access to radio spectrum.

We will continue to engage with ComReg, and I will keep under review the need to publish an up to date spectrum policy document taking account, inter alia,of developments at EU level including in relation to the DSM package and the related review of the telecoms regulatory framework.