Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 3

Written Answers. - Broadband Communications.

John Bruton

Question:

113 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has to act on the recommendation by Forfás that public subsidy should be given to accelerate the provision of broadband communications in areas of the country where the market may fail to provide the required investment in advance of need; and if she will make a statement on the availability of broadband communications in County Meath in this regard. [2403/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The recommendations by Forfás in relation to the provision of broadband communications are based on the need for a significant increase in investment by telecommunications operators. This is a rapidly developing market and there have been significant increases in the levels of planned investment in telecommunications networks both by Telecom Éireann and recent entrants to the market such as Worldcom, Esat Telecom and British Telecom even since the Forfás analysis was carried out.

The market opportunities arising from the liberalisation measures already implemented in the sector and the prospect of full open competition from 1 January 2000 will continue to drive investment in the development of broadband communications. Given the level of interest being expressed in the Irish market it is somewhat premature to predict the extent to which normal commercial criteria will lead to development gaps or to consider how these should be addressed. However, my Department will shortly carry out an analysis of the development plans of operators in order to build a more detailed picture of prospective development.

In the case of Telecom Éireann, I am informed that having completed its research and development phase, the company plans to commence the provision of broadband services this year. Initially, broadband services will be targeted at the main business communities throughout the country. Thereafter, the provision of such services will be subject to demand, commercial viability and capital investment funds available. The provision of broadband services in County Meath by Telecom Éireann will be subject to these criteria.