Written answers

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

National Broadband Plan

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the broadband connectivity issues at an address will be examined (details supplied); if this address will be included in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16558/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As previously stated in my reply of 13 January to a Parliamentary Question on this matter, the premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.

BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.

Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.

Notwithstanding this, my Department has raised a query with the service provider regarding the premises referred to.  The last update from the service provider on the 22 January indicates that they are reviewing the matter. My Department has contacted the service provider again in this regard requesting that they prioritise the query. My Department will revert to the Deputy with a further update as soon as possible.

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an area (details supplied) will be brought into the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan due to the provision of slow internet speeds under 30mbps in the locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16573/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As previously stated in my reply of 10 March  to a Parliamentary Question on this matter, the premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.

BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.

Notwithstanding this, my Department has again checked the matters raised and from the records provided by the service provider the premises in the estate is listed as getting speeds of at least 30Mbps.  As previously advised complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.

In the event that, having exhausted the above options, a premises located in the BLUE area still cannot get high speed broadband from service providers in the area, they should contact my Department at broadband@decc.gov.ie with full details and the matter will be investigated further by my officials.  

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