Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
187. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) cannot avail of high-speed broadband while the neighbouring property can; the way he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34161/21]
View answer188. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) cannot avail of high-speed broadband while the neighbouring property can; the way he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34164/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together. 187 and 188 together.
The premises referred to in the Questions are 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 to be dealt with 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 investigated the matters raised and I understand that the premises referred to in the Questions should be able to access high speed broadband through service providers operating in the area providing access to download speeds of at least 30Mbps and, in relation to one of the premises, well in excess of that.
