Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016
49. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to safeguard existing fixed wireless broadband networks in view of the ongoing tendering for the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38628/16]
View answerIn October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless telegraphy (3.6GHz Band Licences) Regulations, 2016 (S.I. 532 of 2016)). The liberalisation of this band is an EU requirement and the release of spectrum in this band will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and/or fixed wireless services, leading to better quality voice and data services to customers across Ireland.
ComReg is independent in its functions and I have no role in the process for allocating the spectrum which is now underway. Having regard to the independence of ComReg in the matter and the fact that a process is underway, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time. I would note however that the allocation process followed extensive public consultation by ComReg over almost a two year period.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State Intervention Area comprising over 750,000 premises in Ireland, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland and is intended to offer wholesale services to retailers.
In line with State Aid Guidelines for deployment of high speed broadband the procurement process is technology neutral. All three bidders involved in the competitive dialogue process are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the–home network solution to connect rural Ireland. This is their choice of technology. It is however possible that wireless technology may be part of the solutions proposed and this is a matter for bidders. Furthermore, as the network to be built will offer wholesale services, on an open-access basis, it will be open to existing wireless retailers to offer services on the new network. Wireless operators can also connect their technologies to the network if they can meet the high speed broadband specifications set out in the Plan, which includes a minimum of 30 megabits per second download speed and 6 megabits per second upload speed.
