Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 2

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Joe Costello

Question:

117 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the widespread complaints from around the country regarding the I-stream broadband package marketed by Eircom; the steps he intends to take to ensure that all Irish households and businesses can access this and similar broadband products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15909/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

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. It would, therefore, not be appropriate for me to comment in great detail on any particular product offering.

There are two operators currently offering a broadband DSL service in Ireland, one being the Eircom I-stream package and the other being offered by Esat BT. I am informed that Eircom currently has 100 DSL enabled exchanges, providing DSL availability to almost 60% of households – Eircom plans to significantly increase this number over the next year. Esat BT currently has 40 DSL enabled exchanges, providing DSL availability to more than 500,000 lines. In addition, a number of operators are offering wireless broadband services and a number of cable companies are operating pilot broadband product services. Recently, there has been a substantial reduction in the price of the DSL service and this has resulted in a pick-up in customer demand for the service. This increased demand, customer awareness of the benefits of DSL services and further rollout of DSL enabled exchanges will provide the basis for increase penetration of broadband in the Irish market.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 72.