Fergus O'Dowd
Question:744 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the proposed introduction of broadband for Drogheda, County Louth. [20155/03]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
I refer the Deputy to my reply on March 11 2003 to Parliamentary Question No. 366.
The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation.
Internet dial-up connection is universally available via the standard telephone lines. Higher download rates, such as those available with asymmetric digital subscriber lines, or ADSL, will gradually be made more widely available as the broadband programme rolls out. I understand that ADSL services are now being offered by both Eircom and Esat to customers in the Drogheda area.
In addition to the ADSL services, a number of licensed telecommunications service providers are offering broadband services using satellite or fixed wireless connection to customers in all parts of the country. A full list of licensed service providers can be obtained from the commission for Communication Regulation, Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, or at the commission's website, www.comreg.ie.Trials of wireless local area network, WLAN, technology are currently under way in a number of locations in County Louth; namely, Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee, Blackrock, Knockbridge and Dunleer. A full report on the trials will be available before the end of the year.
Under the regional broadband programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, metropolitan area fibre networks are being constructed in 19 towns and cities across the country. Discussions are ongoing with the Minister for Finance regarding the extension of this programme to towns in the north east.