Vol. 379 No. 11
asked the Minister for Communications when he intends to introduce the multi-channel microwave distribution system for television viewers, which he announced at the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis; if its introduction requires legislation; and the anticipated charge per licence-holder using the system.
4.
asked the Minister for Communications, in view of ongoing developments in direct broadcasting satellite services he will consider delaying the introduction of the recently announced MMDS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14.
asked the Minister for Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed TV microwave distributions systems is not capable of giving service to rural areas and is now considered obsolete in view of new technological developments in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 14 together.
I do not accept the contention that the proposed MMDS system is not capable of giving service to rural areas or that it is an obsolete technology. In fact this country is the first European country to adopt MMDS. Other European countries are actively examining its potential and I see no reason to delay its introduction here. Interested parties, who have done extensive investigations into this system and who are prepared to invest considerable sums of money in MMDS are quite satisfied that the system is capable of serving rural areas. My policy regarding the issue of MMDS licences has been reinforced by the confidence shown by private sector investors. The whole concept behind this system is to provide legitimate access to a wider choice of television services, including UK terrestrial and satellite delivered services to viewers in rural and other areas not served or unlikely to be served by cable systems. The MMDS system will be capable of carrying up to 11 channels.
I will be making statutory regulations shortly under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts governing the issue of licences for MMDS systems. These regulations will be broadly along the lines of the Wired Broadcast Relay Licence Regulations, 1974, which govern the issue of licences for cable television systems. It is envisaged that an initial licence fee of £20,000 and an annual fee of 5 per cent of net revenue, thereafter, will be payable by MMDS licensees. The charges which will apply to subscribers to MMDS systems will be a matter for the licensees in the first place and will depend on a range of factors. The expectation is that charges will be of the order of those applying in the more modern and recently built cable systems, about £100 per annum. It is expected that a once off installation charge of about the same amount will be payable.
I will be inviting applications for licences by way of public notice in the immediate future.
I never questioned the technical ability of the system. That is a subsequent question which the Minister has before him. Question No. 3 merely asked when the system would be introduced and the Minister of State said it would be introduced shortly. Can he give us some indication of when it will be introduced? I have had repeatedly to ask this question and on each occasion I find that the Minister goes public on the issue either the day before or on the day the question is answered. What the Minister has read out is in today's Irish Times almost verbatim. Can the Minister give us a clear indication as to when the system will come into operation?
As I have said in my reply to the Deputy, applications for licences by way of public notice will be invited very soon. I understand that it is only a matter of weeks away.
My question relates to the technical suitability or otherwise of the MMDS system. In terms of terrestrial transmission of TV signals what is proposed by MMDS is new technology. It has not been fully developed. It has not been tried elsewhere in the way it is intended to be tried here, in a blanket coverage of the country which is what is proposed. It is a line of sites system. I am curious as to whether the topographical conditions that exist in many parts of rural Ireland will prevent it from being used efficiently and effectively and whether it will result in many people in rural areas not being able to receive it. There is also the question of the expense of the system. It is not produced in mass volume anywhere. Will the system not become completely obsolete anyway when direct broadcasting satellite services come onstream? Why should we go to the trouble of installing a system which, even though it could be defective while we have it — would become obsolete when DBS services come onstream in any event?
Obviously, the most careful consideration will have to be given to the selection of transmitter sites. Taking account of the geography, the mountain regions and the problems that would emerge with this or, indeed, with any system, I can assure the Deputy that account is being taken of this matter. In relation to the technology, this system, as the Deputy is aware, is in operation in Canada and in the US though I would be the first to admit that we are talking about different terrain.
Absolutely.
It may well be necessary, even after the introduction of this system, to have interposers to cater for some of the areas about which the Deputy is concerned but, overall, the balance of advantage at this time is to introduce this particular system. It is being investigated very thoroughly. A number of feasibility studies have been carried out on the use of this technology, not only here, but abroad. A number of other European Governments are considering introducing this facility. I cannot say if there is information available regarding the satellite systems to indicate how soon these systems would be available. The level and extension of service to the public generally by use of this system is one of its great advantages. We should bear in mind that we have a number of illegal systems operating in Ireland which create considerable interruption and difficulty in the provision of service. The Government must take account of the legal situation there also.
The Minister did not take note fully of the point I made in relation to DBS, the impact that will have on this country when it comes into being in a few short years and the whole question of installing a system that is likely to be made obsolete. Concern is being expressed from a radiation health hazard point of view in relation to microwave transmission systems. I understand that planning permission will be required for the provision of transmitters. I am asking the Minister to give a categorical assurance to the House that no health hazard of any kind will emanate from these transmitters so that people adjacent to where the transmitters will be sited can be relieved of their anxiety in this regard. Otherwise, I presume there will be a flood of objections when planning permission is sought for these transmitters.
It will be necessary for the private companies who are successful in obtaining licences from the Department of Communications to obtain planning permission before they proceed with this development. As the Deputy is aware the radiation in radio transmission in that context is different from nuclear radiation. There has been a certain amount of publicity attending to this question and all the available evidence suggests that there is no danger or hazard and that the levels — even at the base transmitter level — are extremely low and are considerably below the maximum standards allowable under EC and other governing regulations. In that general area the Deputy can be happy that there is no health hazard or danger to the public.
May I ask the Minister if the regulations will require Dáil approval? Does he accept the view of the cable authority in the UK that MMDS should only be used where there is no alternative system? The deflector system in use in the UK appears to be much more cost effective. Does he accept the view that the MMDS system, even with interposers, will still only cover 70 per cent of target areas?
There is no intention of interfering with the established cable systems. In fact, this proposal should be seen as complementary to them. With regard to the question of the investigations carried out abroad in relation to this technology, I am extremely happy that it is workable. As I said, statutory regulations have to be introduced and they must be brought into the Dáil so it will be a matter for Dáil debate.
Would the Minister not agree that the provision of this new initiative could cause some controversy in rural areas, particularly in the west? This goes back to the growth of cable distribution systems in the seventies, which was mainly confined to urban areas. People in rural Ireland, particularly in the west, had to take the initiative and provide their own deflectors to get foreign channels, particularly the UK channels. What role does the Minister see in this new system for such people? Is there any role that they can play in the provision of the new system?
I cannot comment very much on that possibility, beyond saying that there is clear evidence that a number of people involved in the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy have indicated their interest in forming conglomerates or groups to apply for these licences. In some cases a number of the personnel so involved will be interested in this new system. Beyond that, I cannot gauge what the future holds for them.
