Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022 we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023 were agreed and published on www.gov.ie.

A further meeting of the Taskforce took place on November 16^th2022. The purpose of the meeting was for action holders to provide a progress update on the status of each of their actions.

On February 15th 2023 the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Annual Stakeholder Forum was held with a focus on the human impact of improved connectivity. The forum presented an opportunity for state and industry to come together and take part in panel discussions, presentations and to meet in a less formal setting than the biannual Taskforce meetings.

The most recent meeting of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce took place in Athlone on 28th April 2023. At this meeting updates were presented on the status of each action, including those which have been completed and can be removed from the Work Programme. An updated Work Programme and an Annual Report of the Taskforce for the period April 2022 to April 2023 will be published in the coming weeks.

The matter of 5G coverage falls under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Digital Connectivity Strategy, aligned with EU Digital Decade targets, aims for all populated areas to be covered by 5G no later than 2030. Irish telecoms operators provide services in a fully liberalised market independently regulated by ComReg, who stipulates coverage obligations in licences granted to operators. Operators advise that they are all exceeding current minimum coverage obligations.

ComReg completed a Multi-Band Spectrum Award in January 2023, assigning rights of use in four spectrum bands, enabling the market to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. This award represents a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for wireless broadband services in Ireland.

Awarded licences' details are on comreg.ie, and include obligations to provide outdoor mobile services of:

• 3Mbit/s to 99% of the population within 3 years and 92% of the geographic area of Ireland within 7 years;
• 30Mbit/s to 95% of the population, 90% of motorways, and 80% of primary roads within 7 years; and
• 30Mbit/s service to 345 specific locations within 7 years.

ComReg continually updates its online map providing information on operators' coverage, including 5G, at coveragemap.comreg.ie/map.

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce is a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide to alleviate connectivity barriers. Its work programme focuses on Planning and Licensing, Improving Information and Access to Assets and Infrastructure, and Improving Consumer Information, Advice and Experience.

I look forward to continuing to work with the key stakeholders on the Taskforce over the coming period.