Radio Spectrum Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2014

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Questions (122)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

122. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the white space digital frequencies currently unused in the Irish spectrum; his plans to use this bandwidth, and if he will outline any analysis that his Department has undertaken as to the potential economic benefits of using these frequencies, or the potential for interference to legitimate primary and secondary radio spectrum users were such frequencies to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14244/14]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. This encompasses the revision and publication of the national radio frequency plan in accordance with section 35 of that Act. The avoidance of radio frequency interference is a matter for ComReg in exercising its functions.The National Broadband Plan does however commit to a review of Spectrum Policy to be carried out on a consultative basis which I intend to initiate over the coming months. This review will deal with a broad range of issues relating to policy in the use of spectrum while respecting the role of ComReg as independent Regulator with responsibility for the management of spectrum on a day-to-day basis.