Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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453. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline if the conditions for copper switch-off have now been met for this process to begin; if not, when he expects this to happen; if he supports the switching off of his outdated broadband technology in favour of faster, more reliable fibre to the home broadband, which ComReg data indicated is now available to almost 90% of all premises; the plans that exist within his Department to support the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37004/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Digital Connectivity Strategy (DCS) aims to have all Irish households and businesses covered by a gigabit network by 2028. A fibre network is faster, consumes less energy and is more reliable than a copper network.

The main copper network is owned by Eir (a private entity) and as such the ongoing operation and maintenance of it is a commercial matter for them. Should Eir choose to proceed with Copper Switch Off, it is required to submit a formal switch-off proposal to ComReg which will then be subject to approval and a clearly defined process.

This process which seeks to safeguard consumers during the transition from copper is laid out in the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) Decision D09/23, ‘Framework for Migration from Legacy to Modern Infrastructure’, Copper Switch Off (CSO). 

In addition to D09/23, ComReg also published “Guidance for Retail Service Providers on Customer Migration from Copper-Based Electronic Communication Services – Management of Migration and Future Copper Switch-Off’ (ComReg 24/76). This document provides guidance to Retail Service Providers (RSPs) on how to manage the Copper Switch Off migration process with a particular focus on steps that should be followed in relation to catering to vulnerable customers. In the guidance ComReg indicated that it would be monitoring RSPs adherence to the guidance and suggested that it may utilise its powers to amend RSPs General Authorisation if it considers greater consumer protection is required.

It should be noted that the timing of the switch-off is ultimately a commercial matter for Eir subject to it complying with the provisions of ComReg’s decision. However, the Department continues to engage with both ComReg, through a bilateral working group on Copper Switch Off, and Eir to keep apprised of any developments in this area.