Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 January 2013
168. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if NewERA has commenced or completed the assessment of State owned assets which is designated to identify and grasp opportunities to quicken and enhance the roll-out of high speed broadband. [3463/13]
View answerOn 30th August 2012, I published ‘Delivering a Connected Society - A National Broadband Plan for Ireland’. The Plan sets the following high speed broadband targets:
- 70Mbps -100Mbps available to at least 50% of the population with a majority having access to 100Mbps;
- At least 40Mbps, and in many cases much faster speeds, to at least a further 20% of the population and potentially as much as 35%; and
- A minimum of 30Mbps available to all.
It is intended that the commercial sector will be the key driver of investment, with State intervention only where the market is unlikely to invest. In addition to investment in infrastructure, the National Broadband Plan contains actions relating to demand stimulation, infrastructure barrier removal, spectrum policy, potential contribution of State entities, as well as policy and regulation.
NewEra has commenced work on the element of Plan dealing with the potential contribution of State entities and has met with the State commercial and non-commercial entities and with industry. NewEra is working closely with the relevant stakeholders to progress this work and is represented on the High Level Implementation Group for Plan which is chaired by my Department.
