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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

757 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of towns in the first phase of the broadband technology project; if three of these towns were to be exclusively wireless; the estimated time for completion of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20730/03]

Phase 1 of the regional broadband programme involves the construction of open access fibre optic metropolitan area networks in Athlone, Ballina, Carlow, Carrick-on-Shannon, Clonmel, Cork city, Dungarvan, Galway city, Gweedore, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Limerick city, Manorhamilton, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Roscommon, Tullamore, Waterford city and Wexford. None of the projects in phase 1 employ exclusively wireless based technologies. However, the infrastructure under construction, subduct, fibre and co-location facilities, will be capable of use by wireless based broadband companies in the provision of wireless based broadband services in the towns concerned. Construction has commenced on these projects and all are expected to be completed by summer 2004.

A separate national trial of wireless LAN technologies involving four companies in a number of towns throughout the country is currently under way, and is expected to be completed by end 2003.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

758 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of companies who applied for funding in the BMW region to carry out trials for broadband using wireless technology; the number which were successful; the number which were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20731/03]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

759 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the grant aid provided for companies in the BMW region to carry out trials for broadband using wireless technology; the names of the companies and the directors of same who were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20732/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 759 together.

Ten companies applied, in 2002, for funding for the trialing of wireless local area network technology, WLAN, for the delivery of broadband in the BMW region.

Three companies were successful and seven were unsuccessful. The grant aid available to the successful companies to carry out WLAN trials in the BMW region, in 2003, is €118,213. The successful companies were Esat BT, O2 Ireland and Digiweb Limited. Details of the directors of these companies are available through the relevant Companies Registration Office. The trials are currently ongoing and are expected to be concluded by December 2003.
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