Billy Timmins
Question:123 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the towns in Counties Wicklow and Carlow which have been selected for broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6281/03]
Written Answers - Broadband Technology.
Joan Burton
Question:132 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his priorities in regard to the provision of high speed Internet services for all citizens following the start of the construction of the metropolitan area networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6251/03]
Joe Costello
Question:133 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government's plans for the Information Society, as outlined in the New Connections Report of February 2003, are being hampered by his Department's approach to broadband infrastructure and competition in the telecoms sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6253/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 132 and 133 together.
The widest possible availability of competitive services including the widespread availability of affordable broadband access has traditionally been an important objective of Irish telecommunications policy.
While the provision of communications infrastructure and services is 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 that fully support the government policies as outlined in the New Connections report.
These investments 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.
In 1999, 13 projects which rolled-out broadband infrastructure nationwide, including Carlow, 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.
To date, ten private sector contracts have been signed under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Projects funded 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 and Eircom rollout of DSL to towns nationwide including four locations in Wicklow and one in Carlow. 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.
My Department is also funding the construction of open access metropolitan area fibre optic networks in upwards of 19 towns and the Liberties-Coombe area of Dublin to facilitate the provision by the private sector of advanced communications services to consumers, educational establishments 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 will commence shortly in Mayo. Further projects, including Carlow, will commence later this year once contracts have been completed. No project proposals for metropolitan area networks were received for Wicklow under the call for proposals.
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. Five WLAN 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 recent regulatory developments. 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. These policy directions, together with a report on the public consultation process, have been published on my Department's 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.
I am confident my initiative in this regard should bring about a substantial improvement on the current position in this area.