Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
95 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he is taking to ensure the implementation of DSL technology which would allow significantly higher access to broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29552/04]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation. The Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the national development plan for broadband infrastructure investment that will enable the provision of broadband services regionally by the private sector.
Metropolitan area networks are being built in 26 towns and cities, in association with local authorities. These are being managed for the State on an open access basis, and offer a wide range of broadband services on a wholesale basis to the service providers. In the second phase of the programme, metropolitan area networks will be built in a further 92 towns with a population of 1,500 and over.
Due to limitations in both bandwidth and distance, digital subscriber lines is regarded as an introductory broadband technology only. A working limit of around 3 km from the exchange means that many rural subscribers cannot obtain broadband over their telephone lines. Higher speed broadband, 2Mb/s and upward, requires fixed wireless links, cable modems, satellite technology or fibre trunk networks such as those being funded under the national development plan. For smaller towns and rural communities, my Department has introduced the group broadband scheme, under which funding is available to assist the community to come together and, with the service providers, to obtain broadband for their area using the technology that best suits the location, such as wireless, satellite or fibre.
A number of companies are now offering broadband in all areas of the country. Details can be found on my Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie. Full details of the regional broadband programme and the group broadband scheme can be found on my Department’s websites, www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.ie.
96 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in the introduction of broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Cork. [29569/04]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation. The Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the national development plan for broadband infrastructure investment that will enable the provision of broadband services regionally by the private sector.
Metropolitan area networks are being built in 26 towns and cities, in association with local authorities. These are being managed for the State on an open access basis, and offer a wide range of broadband services on a wholesale basis to the service providers. In the second phase of the programme, metropolitan area networks will be built in a further 92 towns with a population of 1,500 and over.
For smaller towns and rural communities, such as Doneraile, I have introduced the group broadband scheme, under which funding is available to assist the community to come together and, with the service providers, to obtain broadband for their area using the technology that best suits the location, such as wireless, satellite or fibre.
My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of the companies offering broadband in all parts of the country, and lists five companies offering satellite services in the Doneraile area. Full details of the regional broadband programme and the group broadband scheme can be found on my Department’s websites www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.ie.
