Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

180. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which he directly or through the medium of ComReg influences the quality and coverage for mobile phones with particular reference to his own experience in these issues in view of the need to achieve an even and reliable quality of service in all areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42183/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had discussions with ComReg or service providers with a view to improving the quality and availability of the mobile telephone service throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42184/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

The provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for the service providers concerned which operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I do not have a statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services to particular locations. The regulation of telecommunications service providers generally, including allocating radio spectrum for mobile telephone services, the imposition of binding conditions and regulatory issues surrounding mobile phone network coverage and quality, in accordance with procurement or licensing conditions, are functions of ComReg.

Any customer across Ireland who experiences service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance. If this fails to resolve matters, customers can and should refer a complaint to ComReg, which will investigate the service provider's compliance with its contractual obligations.

Notwithstanding the independence of ComReg, I recognise the frustration experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. In that regard, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers, prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The December 2016 report of the Taskforce is available on my Department's website.

The Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders to produce the report which contains 40 actions to alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland. To maintain momentum, I established an Implementation Group to drive and monitor implementation of the actions, bringing together all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. This group will report on progress every 90 days. The Implementation Group has met twice this year, in March and July, and is due to meet again in October. Two quarterly progress reports have been published so far, which are available on my Department's website. These demonstrate that good progress has been made in delivering the actions. I am also pleased at the sustained level of engagement between action owners and industry.

A stakeholder forum will take place in Athlone later this week, to take stock of progress made in implementing the Taskforce actions and to enable discussion on all the issues impacting on the rollout of telecoms infrastructure. It will also inform the review to be conducted prior to completion of an annual report by the Implementation Group at end 2017.

This work will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.

In addition, following Regulations which I signed last year, ComReg’s announcement earlier this year of the results of its auction for the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, will mean an 86% increase in spectrum capacity to meet the growing demand for mobile and wireless broadband services across rural and urban areas. The award of 15 year licences for the rights of use in this band will provide stability and create future investment certainty. Spectrum was also awarded in lots covering 9 urban and rural regions across Ireland.

The very significant commercial investment by mobile operators has resulted in improved services, with at least one operator now having in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.