Written Answers Nos. 682-695
682. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Inland Fisheries Ireland has received a fishing licence application from a club (details supplied) to permit fishing on Pallas Lake, County Offaly; and if so the status of this application. [4334/17]
View answerI am informed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the Club referred to by the Deputy has made a submission to IFI on the availability of a long term licence for Pallas Lake. Longer term licences are granted on the basis of an appropriate development plan and a formal application. I understand that the application was made on foot of funding opportunities available to the club to develop the lake further as an amenity and to proactively promote the lake. In order to facilitate a licence arrangement the status of the title to the fishery must be verified and IFI is in the process of doing this.
Following verification, IFI's intention is to offer the fishery for licence through the appropriate tender procedures. This is expected to happen before the end of February 2017.
IFI advise that they expect to be in contact with the club in the coming weeks.
683. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the advice he would give to a person who is subjected to constant smoke in their garden and through their windows from a neighbouring chimney on a single storey extension, in view of the fact that a planning inspector has confirmed that it is not contravening any planning laws yet is causing great nuisance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4346/17]
View answerI am aware that an increase in the use of stoves for home heating can be a cause of increased air pollution, particularly where such stoves replace cleaner, less air polluting fuels such gas. Any increase in air pollution is a concern given its public health impacts. The Air Pollution Act 1987 includes a specific obligation to prevent air pollution. Section 24 requires that ‘[t]he occupier of any premises shall not cause or permit an emission from such premises in such a quantity, or in such a manner, as to be a nuisance’. Section 26 of the same Act gives the Local Authority powers to serve a notice on the occupier of any premises in order to prevent or to limit air pollution from that premises. It is a matter for the Local Authority to exercise its judgement in any individual case as to whether a nuisance is being caused, and if so, what abatement action is required.
684. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high quality, high speed broadband will become available in the area of Boycetown Court, Kilcock, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs of the local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4370/17]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map currently indicates that 92% of the townland of Boycetown will be covered by commercial operators while the remaining 8% of the townland of Boycetown will be part of the State Intervention. The Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all premises can get access to services. In this regard, direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services. The Department will also shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise the Intervention Area for bidders, taking into account any industry investments that have not materialised and potential other new investments.
A formal procurement process is now in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report which was published in December, is available at the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with the allocation of spectrum in the 3.6GHz band, in early 2017. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including Co. Kildare.
686. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the indicative time in which ComReg undertook to him to launch a website showing national mobile coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/17]
View answerThe commitment made by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) to produce a mobile phone coverage map is one of a range of actions which are set out in the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce published last December. This Taskforce was established by myself and Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage.
The production of a mobile phone coverage map will be of great value to consumers. Aside from handset performance, consumers need to understand the extent of coverage being offered by different operators in their area. The level of coverage and quality of service received can vary from one operator to the next depending on location. This could significantly impact on the choice of provider that individuals make.
From a consumer perspective therefore, the development of a mobile phone coverage map by ComReg will be hugely important - particularly viewed in tandem with the results of the mobile handset sensitivity testing programme that ComReg is planning. For the first time, consumers will be in a position to independently assess what handset is right for their specific needs, wherever they live or work. As indicated in the Report, the timeline envisaged for the production of such a composite map is 2018.
In order to maintain momentum, an Implementation Group is being established to drive and monitor the implementation of the actions in the Taskforce report. The Implementation Group will be led by my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Implementation Group will formally report every 90 days to both myself and Minister Humphreys, who will in turn jointly brief the Cabinet on progress made. The Implementation Group will carry out a fundamental review of progress made after twelve months and will also be mandated to recommend further actions that would result in an improved service for consumers.
687. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated completion dates of the remaining stages of the environmental assessments and related environmental consultations associated with the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4381/17]
View answer691. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 28 September 2016, if he will provide a timetable for the update of the map of the NBP intervention area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4385/17]
View answer692. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the maximum number or percentage of premises envisaged as receiving a non-standard NGA solution under the NBP; the capabilities of that solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4386/17]
View answer693. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received written commitment contracts from any providers in relation to planned private developments under the NBP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4387/17]
View answer694. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the meetings held by him or his officials to date involving lobbying from persons, businesses, public representatives, public bodies or communities in relation to their prioritisation in the roll-out schedule of the NBP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4388/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 691 to 694, inclusive, together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to 100% of premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State Intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The proposed State intervention under the NBP represents a potentially very significant capital investment project for the State and the Government is firmly committed to delivering this investment, as evidenced in the National Broadband Plan itself and in the Programme for Government.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER.
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county.
My Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all premises can get access to services. In this regard, direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services.
My Department is also actively monitoring developments of commercial operators that might impact the Intervention Area. This is being done in accordance with procedures set out by my Department in December 2015.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise this Intervention Area for bidders, taking into account any industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the Intervention Area.
The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan.
A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report which was published in December, is available at the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with the allocation of spectrum in the 3.6GHz band, in early 2017. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
My Department carried out the first formal stage of the environmental assessment process by screening the draft National Broadband Intervention Strategy for the need to carry out a full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and an Appropriate Assessment (AA), in consultation with the prescribed environmental authorities listed in the legislation. The Department consequently, and in accordance with statutory obligations, issued a determination that a full Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment would be required.
Consultation on an SEA Scoping Report was then carried out as the next step in the environmental assessment process. The submissions received have been taken into account in the next phase which the Department is currently in the process of completing. This phase includes the preparation of an Environmental Report and a Natura Impact Statement for consultation. This consultation will take place in the coming months and will inform the conclusions of the SEA.
688. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has issued a policy or other direction to ComReg under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 in relation to the coverage obligation that will apply to the allocation of the 700M Hz spectrum band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4382/17]
View answer690. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy directions he has issued to ComReg under the Communications Regulation Acts 2002 to 2015 since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4384/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 690 together.
The European Commission has brought forward proposals to co-ordinate the release the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. These proposals will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band.
The Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of this band for ensuring the provision of broadband services in rural areas. The band is particularly attractive for wireless broadband services, allowing higher speeds and greater coverage over long distances.
The procedure to formally approve the text for a formal Decision agreed in December by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission is underway and is expected to be completed in spring 2017.
In Ireland, the 700MHz band is currently used by digital terrestrial television services (DTT) and the migration of these broadcasting services from this band has not yet happened.
The move to the lower part of the UHF band by the DTT services that currently use the 700 MHz band will require a significant amount of work on the transmission network.
In consultation with ComReg and 2RN (formerly known as RTÉ Networks), my Department is working on a range of issues aimed at delivering a managed migration of broadcasting services from this band within the timeframe available. The aim in Ireland is to achieve the release of this spectrum in advance of the June 2020 date, in co-ordination with the UK.
In respect of the management of spectrum, including the future allocation of the 700MHZ band, ComReg is independent in its functions and I have no role in that process. Having regard to the independence of ComReg in the matter, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time. I have no reason to believe that any process undertaken by ComReg will not result in the fair allocation of any future spectrum assignment and I expect the outcomes of any such process to provide a level of certainty and transparency for all stakeholders. A policy direction is neither necessary nor appropriate in the circumstances.
Accordingly, I have not issued nor do I propose to or see any necessity to issue any policy direction to ComReg in this regard.
689. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will publish an updated spectrum policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4383/17]
View answerSpectrum policy is part of the overall national policy governing the telecommunications sector in Ireland, which also covers next generation broadband, electronic communications services and international connectivity. While the EU plays a leading role in relation to policy in respect of certain aspects of spectrum use and management, national policy also has a role to play in articulating the basis for spectrum management. As Minister, I have responsibility for developing effective policies for the regulation and optimal use of Ireland’s national radio frequency spectrum, underpinned by an appropriate legislative framework.
Implementation of those national policies rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) as independent Regulator with statutory responsibility for the day to day efficient management and use of the radio spectrum within the policy and legal framework set by the Government and the EU.
My Department published a Spectrum Policy Statement in September 2010 and the National Broadband Plan which was published subsequently committed to a further review of spectrum policy.
My Department initiated a review in 2014 and held an extensive consultation with all interested stakeholders, dealing with a broad range of spectrum policy issues while respecting the role of ComReg as independent Regulator. A significant range of issues and comments were received, all of which were considered.
As part of the consultation process, the Department stated its intention to amend the structure of the Statement of Policy to produce an overarching principles document and a shorter more focussed document which would set out the Department’s Medium Term Priorities for the next 3-5 years, to be updated on a more regular basis than the overarching principles. While I have not yet published an updated statement, much work has been done by my Department in identifying the various medium term priorities. Focus moved from producing a statement to prioritising work items aligned to the various EU spectrum developments underway and in particular, the Digital Single Market (DSM) which is currently under active discussion.
As part of the DSM package of legislative proposals, the European Commission brought forward proposals to co-ordinate the release of the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. The proposals will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band, which is currently used by digital terrestrial television services (DTT) in Ireland. The Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of this band for ensuring the provision of broadband services in rural areas. The band is particularly attractive for wireless broadband services, allowing higher speeds and greater coverage over long distances. Details of the Department’s work on this issue can be found on the Department’s website at http://dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Migration-from-700-MHz-Spectrum-Band.aspx.
My Department is in regular contact with ComReg, given its role in spectrum management. This has included consideration of the various issues emerging from the Department’s consultation process and from EU level discussions, prior to ComReg issuing its Radio Spectrum Management Strategy for 2016 to 2018 in June 2016. That document sets out ComReg’s radio spectrum work plan priorities over the next two years. In preparing the Strategy Statement, ComReg took into account its role, statutory objectives, all relevant obligations as well as material submitted in response to its own public consultation on the draft Strategy. ComReg is also conscious of the potential developments at EU level in respect of spectrum management which may impact on national spectrum strategies and policies in due course.
The critical element emerging from the Department’s review of spectrum policy has been to ensure that our legal and regulatory environment support continued investment in mobile telecommunication infrastructure, which is dependent on access to radio spectrum.
We will continue to engage with ComReg, and I will keep under review the need to publish an up to date spectrum policy document taking account, inter alia, of developments at EU level including in relation to the DSM package and the related review of the telecoms regulatory framework.
695. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the area to be covered by the national broadband scheme will have to be modified in view of recent increases of coverage by telecommunications companies of rural areas and small towns with high speed broadband and their stated intention to increase this roll-out rapidly over 2017 and 2018; the delay a remapping exercise will cause to the tender process under the national broadband scheme; when it is hoped to have concluded this tender process; the projected date for the commencement of the roll-out of the national broadband scheme on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4606/17]
View answerThe Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century. The strategy for broadband rollout, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State Intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services;
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county.
My Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all premises can get access to services. In this regard, direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services.
My Department is also actively monitoring developments of commercial operators that might impact the Intervention Area. This is being done in accordance with procedures set out by my Department in December 2015.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise this Intervention Area for bidders, taking into account industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the Intervention Area.
The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report is available at the following link: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
