Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013
146. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the blocking of Skype and similar communications software by cellular telephone providers in the context of EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3683/13]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications network services, including Skype services, is a matter in the first instance for service providers operating in a fully liberalised telecommunications market. It is a requirement of EU telecommunications law that market regulation is undertaken by an independent market regulator. I am advised by the Commission for Communications Regulation, the independent market regulator, that it has received a small number of consumer complaints in respect of one operator blocking Skype, which it is currently investigating.
