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Broadband Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Questions (1019)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1019. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to resolve a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24724/18]

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Written answers

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The premises referred to by the Deputy falls within an area which already has access to high speed broadband of at least 30 megabits per second through commercial providers. If a premises can access high speed broadband from any commercial operator that premises is considered to be served under the objectives of the NBP.

With regards to the nearby deployment of infrastructure by a company, decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll-out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.

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