Jan O'Sullivan
Question:129 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to ensure cheaper access to the Internet and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1826/03]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:131 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent OECD study which placed Ireland second from the bottom on a world-wide league of broadband countries; the steps being taken to address this situation, especially having regard to the cut of 27% in the allocation for the broadband programme in the Estimates for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1829/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 131 together.
The provision, promotion and pricing of communications infrastructure and services, including Internet access, is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market. It is the task of the Commission for Communications Regulation to supervise access and interconnection among operators for the purpose of the provision of electronic communications services, including Internet access. 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 Irish telecommunications policy.
Since the publication of the OECD report there have been a number of significant developments which should lead to a greater take-up of the Internet and broadband services. In accordance with the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002, I published draft policy directions to the Commission for Communications Regulation in December 2002. It is my intention that the directions will focus on a number of key policy priorities for the Commission in the short to medium term, including the introduction of flat rate Internet access. The public consultation process closed on 10 January and the all of the submissions received are presently being evaluated. I propose to issue the final directions shortly. I am confident that my initiative in this regard should bring about a substantial improvement on the current position in this area.
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. 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 call 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 have 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 around 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. Construction of networks will begin shortly in Cork, Galway and Mayo and further projects will commence once contracts have been completed.
My Department is also exploring the potential of satellite and wireless based technologies to promote the deployment of broadband access in Ireland, particularly in remote areas. Pilot projects utilising VSAT and wireless LAN technologies in diverse user communities, to assess their suitability as a platform for the delivery of advanced broadband services in the regions, are currently under way. WLAN is a technology that was originally developed for in-house use, such as office local area networks but is increasingly seen as an alternative technology in the delivery of broadband services. Five projects have been recommended for funding of €260,510. It is intended that the projects will run from January to October 2003.