Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
235. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to a household (details supplied) that is not included in the national broadband plan but in the blue area in which commercial providers are not providing an adequate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. My Department has, however, looked into the issue raised in the Question and I am advised that the area where the premises is located has been identified for further analysis as the Next Generation Access deployments planned by commercial providers in the area do not appear to have materialised. My Department is aware of these issues and is actively engaging with all relevant parties in an effort to find a solution for these and other similar premises.
