Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the roll-out of fibre optic broadband to an area (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6105/22]
View answerThe area mentioned in the question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available 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.Such service providers are operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to roll out services and make specific investments in particular locations.
Since 2016, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. It has completed over 70 targeted actions to alleviate connectivity barriers, including streamlining regulatory consent processes and continues to tackle issues impeding the rollout of essential telecommunications infrastructure. If the issue impacting the roll out of the new fibre network could be addressed by an improvement in the relevant regulatory framework, or its application, then the Taskforce affords commercial operators a forum to have such issues addressed.
