Written Answers - Broadband Technology.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
285
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the extent to which he anticipates the availability of advanced and broadband technology here in the course of the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6497/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
287
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
if availability of modern telecommunications here is sufficient and readily available to ensure Ireland's attraction as an investment location; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6499/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
288
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
if adequate investment is currently being made to ensure the advancement of cellnet and conventional telecommunications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6500/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 287 and 288 together.
The widespread availability of affordable broadband access remains a key information society priority for this Government and is a key tool for ensuring Ireland's international competitiveness. My responsibility is for public policy in the sector within which these companies operate and the widest possible availability of competitive services has traditionally been an important objective of Irish telecommunications policy.
Whilst investment in and provision of advanced communications infrastructure and services, including broadband internet access and mobile technologies is primarily a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market, my Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to accelerate and promote investment in telecommunications infrastructure. 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.
These investments will enhance the potential for the development of electronic commerce facilities, improve Ireland's international competitiveness and enable the electronic provision of public services, including education services, virtual libraries, welfare and health services.
In 1999, under the National Development Plan, 1994-99, and INTERREG II, €26.5 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Some 13 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, 2000-06, 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.
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 over the coming years 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 has commenced in Cork, Galway and Mayo and further projects will commence once contracts have been completed.
The contract signed with Global Crossing in 1999 has greatly increased the levels of competitively priced international connectivity from Ireland to Europe and the United States and has been a key factor in assisting IDA Ireland attract foreign direct investment in the information communications technology sector.
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.
There have also been some recent significant regulatory developments to improve access to the information society. On 21 February 2003 I issued policy directions to the Commission for Communications Regulations, in accordance with section 13 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. They 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 nationwide.
These policy directions, together with a report on the public consultation process, have been published on my Departments website. The text of the policy directions, together with the reason(s) for their introduction, have also been published inIris Oifigiúil, in accordance with the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
