Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

193. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had any recent communication with the Communications Regulator or the telecommunications companies in relation to poor mobile telephone service in some parts of the country; the measures that will be introduced to improve services in areas in which they are inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28775/22]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland’s national digital strategy contains goals for the digital transformation of our economy and society which align closely with that of the European Union’s Digital Decade. Specifically, the targets for digital connectivity include that all Irish households and business will be covered by a Gigabit network by 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G by 2030.  

The roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis with mobile coverage obligations set out in licences granted by the independent regulator, ComReg who advise that the current minimum coverage obligations in those licences are being considerably exceeded by all operators.  

ComReg is planning another Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four spectrum bands which will enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data. To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map. This map which is available on the ComReg website provides consumers with very clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage. The Department liaises regularly with both ComReg and operators to ensure progress in the provision of mobile coverage across the country.  

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Community and Rural Development continues to tackle issues impeding the rollout of mobile and fixed connectivity including how best outdoor mobile phone coverage can be further improved and ensuring the efficient use of infrastructure and assets to support the rollout of telecoms networks into the future.