Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016
64. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure universal access by all householders to high-speed mobile phone services in addition to high-speed broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38309/16]
View answerThe current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications allows for the application of a Universal Service Obligation in respect of fixed voice services. This framework has, in my view served consumers well over several decades and ensured that householders can get an affordable fixed voice service, regardless of where they are located.
Currently there are no universal service obligations (USO) for high speed broadband provision in Ireland and the European Telecommunications Framework does not facilitate the imposition of a high speed broadband USO. The National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high speed broadband to every premises in the country, through a State intervention in areas where such networks are not available. The winning bidder(s) in the procurement process will be required to build out a wholesale, open access, high speed broadband network. Under a 25 year contract with the Department, they will be required to connect any premises within the Intervention area that requires a high speed connection.
Thus National Broadband Plan will deliver the network which will be required, to connect all premises. While USO alone could not be expected to deliver new high speed broadband networks of this scale, I am of the view that where high speed broadband networks are available, USO could provide a very useful tool to ensure that all premises within a network area can get a connection. This is particularly relevant in cities and towns, where commercial operators have already deployed high speed networks, but for technical or other reasons, some premises still may not be able to obtain services.
I am in discussion with ComReg as to whether a universal service obligation (USO) may be a viable instrument in such instances, i.e. in areas where a high speed network is available but individual premises cannot access such services at an affordable price. This is similar to the arrangements which are already in place for fixed voice.
I have also raised the issue of a USO for high speed broadband at EU level. In September, the European Commission published an ambitious proposal for the regulation of the European telecoms sector, which aims to incentivise and encourage increased investment in high speed broadband networks. I have asked the Commission to consider a specific provision in the new framework that will allow Member States to apply a USO for high speed broadband, where such networks are available.
There are no provisions in European or national regulation for a USO in relation to mobile voice services. Mobile operators are however rolling out 3G and 4G networks across Ireland following ComReg’s 2012 Multiband Spectrum auction, with at least one operator now having over 90% population coverage of 4G services. The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce is considering issues which will facilitate better delivery of mobile voice and data services. In October, I signed regulations which will allow ComReg to allocate spectrum in the 3.6GHz spectrum band. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.
In my Department's estimates for 2017 I have secured an €8m provision for RTÉ to allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to auction this spectrum, to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.
I intend to discuss with ComReg, how the allocation of spectrum in the 700MHz band could facilitate greater penetration of mobile voice and data services.
