Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
573
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the degree to which he expects Ireland to advance in the field of broadband technology; if he is satisfied that provisions to date are adequate to ensure the competitiveness of Ireland as an industrial base; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2151/03]
The provision of communications infrastructure and services is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market with reference to the direction and supervision of the Commission for Communications Regulation.
To accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services throughout the country by the private sector, my Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in recent years. These programmes have been designed following consultation with and obtaining the support of the various development agencies: IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
In 1999, under the National Development Plan 1994-1999 and INTERREG II, €26.5 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Thirteen projects which rolled-out broadband infrastructure nationwide to a value, both public and private funding, of €70 million were supported and are now completed.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, approximately €200 million was allocated under the two regional communications and e-commerce measures. Funding under these measures is intended to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services. This will enhance the potential for the development of electronic commerce facilities and enable the electronic provision of public services, including education services, virtual libraries, welfare and health services.
A first call for proposals was run in 2000 and, on foot of submissions received, nine contracts were signed at the beginning of 2001 which will result in additional investment in the regions in broadband infrastructure and increased availability of broadband services for business and residential users. The projects involved are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2003 and will entail an overall investment of €160 million in broadband leveraged from grant assistance of approximately €55 million. Projects funded under this include the construction of a new national fibre backbone by ESB Telecom, the development of regional e-commerce centres by Nevadatele, the extension by Esat of its national network, and the acceleration of the Esat roll-out of DSL in 40 locations.
Under a second call for proposals held in 2001, €3.7 million has been made available to Eircom in respect of DSL roll-out at 14 exchanges nationwide. This will be of benefit to both the business sector and domestic users. I also understand that Eircom is rolling out DSL at 32 centres in the greater Dublin area and has DSL enabled 500,000 customer lines which will greatly facilitate the deployment of broadband nationwide.
The broadband programme announced in March 2002 will result in the construction of open access metropolitan area fibre-optic networks in upwards of 19 towns throughout the country. By reducing the cost of access to fibre rings, these networks will facilitate the provision by the private sector of "always on", low cost and high speed Internet access to consumers, educational establishments, industry and business. It is expected that these projects will be completed progressively over the next two years at a cost in the region of €60 million.
My Department is also exploring the potential of satellite and wireless-based technologies to promote the deployment of broadband access in Ireland, especially in remote areas. Pilot projects utilising VSAT and wireless LAN technologies in diverse user communities, to assess their suit ability as a platform for the delivery of advanced broadband services in the regions, are under way. The results of these trials are expected to be available by year end.
Question No. 574 answered with Question No. 142.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
575
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
if he has satisfied himself that Ireland is keeping pace with advances in information technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2153/03]
I have no function in the provision of information technology. The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the companies who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for public policy in the telecommunications sector within which these companies operate.
