Mary Upton
Question:231 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the points made in documentation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21907/02]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
Last August my Department advertised a call for the trialing of wireless technology for the provision of broadband access. Unlike other calls, by my Department, which have focused on the rollout of broadband infrastructure, this call focuses on the trialing of a type of technology so as to determine its potential for the provision of broadband access. This includes the trialing of access environments not only in the digital hub but in a variety of locations.
Some 29 applications were received by the September deadline for submissions. One of those was from the National Centre for Technology in Education, the Liberties Learning Initiative and Leap Broadband.
The evaluation was undertaken in accordance with the criteria published in the call. The funding available for this call is €300,000 and in determining the successful applicants my Department had to ensure that as wide a variety of technologies and access environments were included in the trials. Five of the submissions have been short-listed and these are being considered in detail within the Department. I would hope to be in a position in December to make an announcement on the successful applicants. The application in which the Deputy has an interest was, unfortunately, not one of those short-listed and the applicant has been duly advised.
My Department is committed to the establishing of at least one trial in the digital hub. Once the successful applicants are announced, those, on behalf of whom the deputy is making representation, may wish to approach the applicant/applicants, who will be undertaking trials in the digital hub, with a view to possible participation.