Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a universal service obligation in respect of the provision of broadband throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20440/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications allows for the application of a Universal Service Obligation (USO) and relates solely to voice telephony and Functional Internet Access (28.8 kilobits per second) and is provided for under EU regulatory framework governing telecoms.  This Framework has ensured that householders can get an affordable fixed voice service and functional internet access regardless of where they are located. There is no USO for high speed broadband provision or mobile voice services in Ireland and the Framework does not provide for it. 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.  I have raised the issue of a USO for high speed broadband at EU level, 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.  Negotiations on the initiative are continuing at EU level. 

The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband to every premises in the country, through a State led intervention in areas where such networks are not available. The winning bidder in the procurement process will be required to build out a wholesale, open access, high speed broadband network. Under a 25 year contract with the Department, they will be required to connect all premises within the Intervention area with a high speed connection (minimum 30 megabits per second download and 6 megabits per second upload).

The NBP will deliver the network that will be required to connect all premises. While USO alone could not be expected to deliver new high speed broadband networks of this scale, I am of the view that where high speed broadband networks are available, USO could provide a very useful tool to ensure that all premises within a network area can get a reliable, quality connection. This is particularly relevant in cities and towns where commercial operators have already deployed high speed networks, but for technical or other reasons some premises still may not be able to obtain services.   

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.