Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 November 2016
190. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether having more than three broadband providers in the country is beneficial for competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37949/16]
View answerAs Minister with responsibility for overall telecoms policy a key goal is to create and support conditions for sustainable services that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland. ComReg, in its role as regulator, facilitate competitive services in the broadband market. Competition has driven significant investments in cities and towns across Ireland, resulting in the delivery of quality services and competitive prices. The aim of the National Broadband Plan is to bring competitively priced quality services to rural areas, through a State intervention to build a new high speed broadband network. It is envisaged that this network will offer wholesale services to multiple retailers, who can in turn offer competitive and affordable and high speed broadband to users.
