Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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282. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a broadband telecommunications universal service obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12420/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The National Broadband Plan, aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every household, school and business in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and for those areas that will not be covered by commercial operators the State has committed to intervene and subsidise a network build, so that nobody is left behind.

A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process.

There is no universal service obligation (USO) for high speed broadband provision or mobile voice services in Ireland. The current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications relates solely to voice telephony and Functional Internet Access (28.8 kilobits per second) and is provided for under the current EU regulatory framework governing telecoms. In September 2016, the European Commission published an ambitious proposal for the regulation of the European telecoms sector, which aims to incentivise and encourage increased investment in high speed broadband networks. Negotiations on the review of the EU regulatory framework give Ireland an opportunity to seek inclusion of a USO in respect of high speed broadband connectivity.

In that regard, I have raised the issue of a USO for high speed broadband at EU level. I am seeking inclusion of a specific provision in the new framework that would allow Member States to apply a USO for high speed broadband, where such networks are available.

My Department is also in discussion with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) as to whether a USO may be a viable instrument in instances where a high speed network is available, but individual premises cannot access such services at an affordable price.