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Mobile Telephony Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Questions (199)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

199. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he engaged with telecoms providers in the context of rolling out a total blanket coverage of 4G across the State; if he has had similar engagement in the context of 5G coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48469/18]

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Written answers

I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations in what is a liberalised market. The provision of mobile telecommunications services is subject to a requirement to secure a wireless telegraphy licence to access the required radio spectrum.  The award of such licences, including the application of qualifying terms and conditions such as quality of service and minimum population coverage, and the associated monitoring of compliance by licensed providers with those terms and conditions is a matter for the statutorily independent Communications Regulator, ComReg.

Notwithstanding ComReg's independence, I recognise the frustration felt by Irish consumers where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. The Programme for Government specifically included a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, containing 40 actions to alleviate some of the deficits. An Implementation Group is overseeing implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery.

My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development published the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017 on 21 February 2018, which comprehensively outlines the progress made in 2017 on the Taskforce actions. Of the 40 actions, 29 have been completed, with work on the remaining 11 carrying into the 2018 Work Programme. Following close engagement with stakeholders at the inaugural National Stakeholder Forum 2017, an additional 23 new measures were identified for delivery in 2018.

As Minster for Communications, it is important that both I and my officials engage on a regular basis with telecoms operators on issues of relevance to the development of the sector. In relation to engagement with providers on improving coverage, a number of Departmental officials meet with individual companies and representative groups in relation to their specific commitments under the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce report. 

The type of actions for delivery by the telecommunications operators in this regard include work on identifying blackspot locations needing prioritisation; identifying, in consultation with Local Authorities and other key stakeholders, optimal locations for additional infrastructure to improve 4G coverage;  introduction of WiFi calling; and reporting on activities undertaken to optimise the performance of their networks.

Discussions arising at such meetings with Industry inform the regular quarterly progress reports, which are published on my Department’s website and that of the Department of Rural and Community Development. The minutes of meetings of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Group are also published on both Departments’ websites.

In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for 5G rollout, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg's 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.

Much of the work of the Taskforce, in addition to enhancing 4G coverage, also provides a strong foundation for growing next generation capacity, including 5G. In paving the way for 5G deployment in Ireland, and future auctions, consideration will need to be given to a number of factors, including quality of coverage as well as geographical spread.

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