Broadband Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Questions (534)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

534. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reviewed the operation of the Broadband Delivery UK within the British Department of Culture, Media and Sport which acts as a central co-ordinating unit for the rollout of superfast broadband across the UK; his views on whether there would be advantages to the establishment of a similar programme in his Department; if he will state his approximate targets for the average highest bandwidth across the country for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The National Broadband Plan, which I published on 30th August last, commits to high speed broadband availability across the country, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020. Specifically, it commits to:

- 70Mbps to 100Mbps will be available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015;

- At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% and potentially as much as 35% of the population; and

- A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country.

During the preparation of Ireland’s National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70Mbps to 100Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015.

The commercial sector is already making these investments in high speed services, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. The Government is committed, in the Plan, to investing in areas where high speed services are not commercially viable and will not be provided by the market.

My Department is making preparations to commence a formal national mapping exercise to identify where the market is expected to succeed and fail in the delivery of high speed broadband over the coming years. This exercise will inform the level of Government interaction that may be required and the areas that need to be targeted for a State-led investment. It will also form a critical input to an EU State Aids application in respect of any State-led intervention.

Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, we are committed to increasing the availability of next generation speeds significantly, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and business can participate fully in a digitally enabled society.

The challenge of rolling out high speed broadband is being addressed by EU Member States as well as other countries across the world. Cognisance will be taken of other countries’ experiences, including the UK, as and where appropriate, having regard to the particular circumstances and challenges faced by Ireland.