Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
776. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is any possibility of fast-tracking Eircom's Network for a Nation plans for broadband roll-out to a specific area and or townland which requires a more stable service than the rural broadband scheme, and if so, are there any social or economic criteria which would need to be met to make such fast-tracking viable. [36969/13]
View answer777. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 777. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm his plans regarding high speed rural broadband over the next two years; the number of homes and businesses that can hope to receive the services furing that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37008/13]
View answer816. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date on a plan (details supplied) on the delivery of a connected society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38249/13]
View answer818. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the expected price goal to the end use for high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38251/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 776, 777, 816 and 818 together.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published last Autumn, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all of our citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
While I do not have statutory authority to direct commercial companies in the rollout of services, the National Broadband Plan aims to facilitate investment in such services. Since the publication of the Plan, eircom has extended its plans for the rollout of high speed services to 1.2m premises, and other fixed line and mobile operators are investing in enhanced product offerings, including 4G mobile and high speed cable services. These developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction and regulatory arrangements for next generation access. Publication of the National Digital Strategy, and changes to planning and permitting regimes will also facilitate investment by the commercial sector, in line with the commitments in the National Broadband Plan.
In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector to identify where the market is expected to deliver high speed broadband services over the coming years. The results of this mapping exercise will inform the level of Government intervention that may be required and the precise areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. All relevant matters, including issues related to pricing, will be considered as the process develops. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in a digitally enabled society.
