Paul Kehoe
Question:351 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the counties in which there is no decision regarding the roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22338/03]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:365 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to broadband technology development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22405/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:366 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to restore Ireland to a commanding position in the telecommunications industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22406/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 365 and 366 together.
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.
To accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services throughout the country by the private sector, my Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in recent years. These programmes have been designed following consultation and support from the various development agencies: IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
There are a number of technological platforms for delivery of broadband including fibre, cable, satellite, digital subscriber lines and wireless, including wireless local area networks. Whilst in the main it could be expected that private sector investment would lead to the deployment of these platforms throughout Ireland, the Government recognises that due to a downturn in the telecommunications sector in recent years, private sector companies may have difficulty in funding the major infrastructure developments that are needed for broadband delivery.
In 1999, under the economic infrastructure operational programme of the National Development Plan 1994-1999 and INTERREG II, grants totalling €26.5 million were made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Some 13 projects were supported under the programme, with a total value of €70 million.
Under the e-commerce and communications measure of the NDP 2000-2006 an indicative €200 million has been set aside for telecommunications infrastructure developments in areas where private sector investment is lacking. This investment, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is supporting a comprehensive programme of development including metropolitan area fibre networks, new national fibre trunk lines and extension of digital subscriber lines to 1.2 million telephone lines by mid-2004.
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 are under way in a number of locations to assess their suitability as a platform for the delivery of advanced broadband services in the regions. The results of these trials are expected to be available by year end.
With regard to demand for broadband, it is quite evident that there is considerable demand from both consumer and businesses. As a measure of this demand the EU flash barometer report places residential internet penetration in Ireland at 4th in the EU, with the predominant method of home Internet access by standard telephone line (91%) followed by ISDN (6%). Internet penetration among SMEs is running at 84%, with ISDN as the predominant access technology, followed by standard telephone line, leased line and digital subscriber line. Higher broadband uptake figures will result from competitive pricing by service providers. Recent developments, particularly in the DSL market, demonstrate that companies understand this dynamic, and are, as a consequence, lowering the price to consumers and businesses.
Developments in the Irish market during the course of 2003 would suggest that broadband penetration is now increasing rapidly in all areas of the country. The Government's guiding vision for broadband is to have widespread availability of open-access, affordable, always-on broadband infrastructure for businesses and citizens throughout the State within three years. At present, a basic telephone connection allows normal speed dial-up to the Internet in any area. Higher rates of access, such as those provided by DSL, wireless, fibre optic or satellite-based systems, are available on the market from a number of licensed telecommunications service providers. A full list of providers is available from the Commission for Communications Regulation, Irish Life Mall, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, or from the commission's websitewww.comreg.ie