National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Questions (213)

James Lawless

Question:

213. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the broadband connectivity issues at an address will be examined (details supplied); if this address will be included in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16558/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

As previously stated in my reply of 13 January to a Parliamentary Question on this matter, the 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.

Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.

Notwithstanding this, my Department has raised a query with the service provider regarding the premises referred to.  The last update from the service provider on the 22 January indicates that they are reviewing the matter. My Department has contacted the service provider again in this regard requesting that they prioritise the query. My Department will revert to the Deputy with a further update as soon as possible.