Michael Ring
Question:136 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans she has to ensure an improvement on the costs and access problems for Internet users here, particularly for those involved in e-commerce. [17991/01]
Written Answers. - Information Technology.
Currently many people access the Internet via the public telephone network. This is known as dial up access. The director of telecommunications regulation has put in place measures to enable operators to develop service offerings for dial up access on a competitive basis. It is a matter for operators to take up this facility and devise pricing for charges for dial up Internet access to offer the public.
The provision of telecommunications services, including access to Internet services, is a matter in the first instance for the companies who now operate in a fully liberalised market. My responsibility is for public policy in the sector within which these companies operate. The widest possible availability of competitive services has traditionally been an important objective of telecommunications policy. I have in recent years put in place a number of initiatives which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in Ireland, particularly by bringing broadband connectivity to regional and rural areas. Such connectivity facilitates e-commerce activities.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-1999, 26 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Thirteen projects which rolled out broadband nation-wide were supported and are now nearing completion. This figure has been significantly increased under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 to 200 million. A first call for proposals was run last year and on foot of submissions received I signed nine contracts at the beginning of the year which will result in additional investment in the regions in broadband infrastructure. The projects involved will be completed over the next two years and will entail overall investment of 160 million in broadband leveraged from grant assistance of approximately 55 million.