Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015
818. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to create a database of the existing broadband assets of the State with details on utilisation, pricing and access to each asset; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/15]
View answerAs part of the NBP, operators will be asked to bid in a procurement process to select a provider or providers for the roll-out of high speed broadband in the areas where commercial services will not be provided. The re-use of existing infrastructure like poles, ducts, sites and masts, will minimise the cost of the State intervention by avoiding unnecessary new build. It is also consistent with the Broadband State Aid Guidelines and the EU’s recent Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014/61/CE).
Therefore, my Department is compiling a register of owners of existing infrastructure that could be used to support the NBP network roll-out, and publishing it on our website.
The purpose of this register is to provide potential bidders with information on infrastructure which could be used as part of their bid. The register enables bidders to clearly see the type and general location of existing infrastructure which could be re-used but is not designed to be a detailed database of infrastructure. Rather it is a mechanism to facilitate engagement between bidders and infrastructure owners. If bidders are interested in seeking further information on infrastructure owners assets, in terms of exact location, pricing, terms and conditions etc, then they can make contact and seek further information directly with the owners concerned. This may also be relevant in the case of assets that are not within the National Broadband Plan intervention area, but could nevertheless be beneficial to the roll-out of other telecommunication services and services in areas that are being served commercially.
In terms of including state assets, My Department carried out a series of bilateral meetings with semi-State and public sector organisations, the purpose of which was to maximise participation in the register and to discuss the practical arrangements for compiling it. In addition, my Department also met with a number of commercial companies with relevant telecoms infrastructure in rural areas and issued a direct invitation to over 50 companies to register their infrastructure on the register. This, together with advertisements placed in national newspapers on the 14 April last, ensured that the widest audience of asset owners was reached and encouraged to submit their details to the register.
On 15th May, my Department published the register with details of those owners of infrastructure, as notified to us. To date, 21 owners have registered their details with my Department but the register remains open to any interested party should they wish to have their details included. Indeed, since publication, my Department has received further details for inclusion.
My Department will continue to engage with various organisations to ensure the maximum level of infrastructure re-use as the sharing of existing telecommunications infrastructure is considered a key enabler in reducing the overall cost of the project and in ensuring value for money to the State.
