Telecommunications Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Questions (732)

Ciara Conway

Question:

732. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the location of the closest telephone exchange for the Faithlegg and Cheekpoint area of County Waterford; if he will further clarify the basic level of broadband speed available for that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16506/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The market for the provision of telecommunications network facilities and services is fully liberalised. These are therefore matters for commercial operators authorised by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator of the telecommunications market. I have no statutory function in relation to the provision of such facilities nor have I a shareholder role in any company offering retail broadband services.

ComReg, the market regulator, operates an online call costs service, http://www.callcosts.ie/broadband/Broadband_Calculator.175.LE.asp, which, among other things, identifies retail broadband services providers offering services in different speeds categories by county.