Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2013
130. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a metropolitan area network, MAN, of fibre optic in Boyle, County Roscommon; and, if not, if there is a proposal to roll one out. [13422/13]
View answer131. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a metropolitan area network in Boyle, County Roscommon; is it possible to connect it to this national ESB fibre network which would give Boyle a high speed network that would place it favourably as a location for e-commerce; and if not, is there some way that the Boyle community could take steps to improve the situation. [13424/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
There is no Metropolitan Area Network (MANS) in Boyle nor are there plans for a new Metropolitan Area Network in this area. The Government however recognises the need to ensure that high speed broadband is available in all parts of Ireland, including towns such as Boyle, to underpin economic growth, enable eCommerce and greater connectivity for citizens generally. To this end The National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to ensure that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses.
The plan commits to 70Mbps to 100Mbps 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 also 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 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 Aid 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.
I would reiterate that the Government remains committed to the delivery of the speeds referred to above, to ensure that all parts of Ireland, including Boyle and other rural areas in County Roscommon, will have at least 30Mbps connectivity.
