Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2015
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 28 April 2015, the reason service providers in respect of mobile telephone services should be granted a licence to provide a minimum level of national population coverage, which operates against the interest of those living in sparsely populated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35874/15]
View answerThe provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
ComReg apply terms and conditions on Mobile Network Operators which are attached to the licences. Decisions in relation to such terms and conditions, including whether or not Mobile Network Operators must provide a minimum level of national population coverage, are a matter for ComReg.
While I do not have a role in relation to the terms and conditions of licences issued by ComReg, I am aware that the provision of services to all customers, including those living in sparsely populated areas, can be affected by several factors. This is due to the fact that mobile telephone services are a radio based technology and therefore can be affected by topography, quality of handsets, the capacity of the network and proximity to mobile telephone antennas.
In this regard my Department continues to focus its efforts on addressing barriers to deployment of telecoms infrastructure and services in order to facilitate the rollout of enhanced services throughout the country. My Department will continue to actively engage with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on these issues with a view to facilitating the removal of barriers and the improvement of mobile services nationwide.
