Broadband Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Questions (183)

Michael McNamara

Question:

183. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a fibre broadband service will be provided to an area (details supplied) as part of the current roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21998/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

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.

My Department has, however, raised a query regarding the premises in question with the network operator to obtain the current status for the premises. As soon as a reply is received my Department will revert to the Deputy with an update.