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Broadband Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Questions (196)

Brendan Smith

Question:

196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it will be ensured an application by a school (details supplied) for upgraded broadband connectivity will be progressed without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62848/21]

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Written answers

The school 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.go.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.

I am advised that there has been previous contact with my Department in relation to the provision of high speed broadband at this school and that my Department has determined that the school in question should be capable of getting download speeds up to 70Mbps from the local exchange in Butler’s Bridge. I understand that the commercial operator has indicated that there could be a fault with the modem device on site which may be preventing the maximum speed from being achieved. The commercial operator has suggested that the service provider should run a test with an alternative modem to see if this will resolve the problem. I understand that the Department of Education are continuing to work with the service provider to see if they can improve the service to the school.

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