Written Answers. - Electronic Communications Infrastructure.
Paddy McHugh
Question:
93
Mr. McHugh
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the position regarding the roll out of broadband in County Galway; the possibilities wireless technology holds for County Galway; if pilot schemes can be put in place to improve telecommunications in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29628/03]
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
The Government recognises the need for intervention in cases where the market is not responding and has allocated an indicative €200 million of Government and European Regional Development Fund funds under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for broadband infrastructure developments. The regional broadband programme is helping to fund the provision of first class telecommunications infrastructure in all regions, including County Galway.
The largest project in the county under the programme is the construction of the Galway city metropolitan area network, MAN. The Galway MAN, construction of which began in February 2003, will consist of 44.5 kilometres of duct in two loops, coming together in the city centre. The eastern loop passes through Wellpark, Renmore, Merlin Park, Coolagh, Twomileditch, Ballybane and Terryland, and the western loop includes the university, Newcastle, Shantallow and Rahoon. The design of the network ensures maximum access opportunity for the major broadband users, such as commercial and manufacturing concerns, hospitals, colleges and retail outlets. Over 40 kilometres of the network have been built to date. Construction is progressing well in accordance with the schedule and is expected to be completed by April 2004 at a cost of over €9 million.
The creation of a third national fibre trunk network by the ESB, which passes through County Galway, will offer service providers alternative backhaul independent of the established telcos. NDP funding supported this project and also supported the upgrading of telephone exchanges to digital subscriber line, that is, broadband, capability by both Eircom and Esat BT. DSL broadband services are now being marketed in Athenry, Ballinasloe and Tuam, as well as Galway itself, and Eircom plans further extensions of its DSL coverage.
In addition to the above developments, my Department is currently funding a number of trials of wireless local area network and a powerline carrier technology trial in Tuam to assess alternative ways of delivering broadband in areas not served by fibre. A full report on the WLAN trials is expected by the end of the year.
