The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
On 29 September last the Government approved an allocation of €275m for the National Broadband Plan, which will provide the initial stimulus required to deliver the Government's intervention. Combined with commercial investment, this will ensure that 85% of Ireland's premises have high speed broadband by 2018, with an ambition of 100% coverage by 2020.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2016, published on 24th November 2014 was developed by my Department to establish the National Broadband Plan (NBP) Intervention Areas. This Map shows where access to high speed broadband services provided on a commercial basis are expected to be in place by the end of 2016 and where the Government may intervene to enable access to high speed broadband.
I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 21,200 premises to date in Co Donegal with a further 27,200 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 52,000 premises in Co Donegal will be covered be the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan, subject to examination of any further commercial development plans in the area. The breakdown of premises covered, per townland, is available on the High Speed Broadband Map at www.broadband.gov.ie
In July last, following intensive consultations, stakeholder engagement and detailed financial, strategy, economic, legal, technical analysis, I published the draft Intervention strategy and 7 accompanying expert reports. Over 40 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy. Non-confidential versions of these submissions have been published and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie.
The planned period for the rollout of the State Intervention is 2016 to 2020 and the Department has revised the investment period under assessment to also include investments in the period 2016 – 2020.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals. I expect to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
This is a complex project and I have continually underlined the importance of a conclusive process that delivers for all citizens. This ambitious objective, combined with the need to adhere rigorously to EU State Aid and procurement law obligations, required intensive preparation, engagement with stakeholders and very detailed analysis.
Through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with an ambition of 100% coverage by end of 2020.
