Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022
252. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the lead time delays in relation to the delivery of broadband connection points due to component shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13427/22]
View answerBroadband Connection Points (BCPs) are public locations which have been selected to receive high-speed connectivity as part of the National Broadband Plan. The locations of the BCPs include public areas such as community halls, libraries, sports facilities, enterprise hubs, tourist locations and other public spaces
A typical BCP receives its connectivity from National Broadband Ireland (NBI) via an external dish. This dish is connected to a control box, or ‘switch’, for onwards distribution. The dish’s connection to the switch marks the demarcation point between NBI (the wholesale provider) and Vodafone (the retail provider). Vodafone supply, manage and support the switch and the WiFi access points that connect to the switch.
Most BCPs provide their services exclusively over WiFi and are satisfied with between 2 and 4 WiFi access points and a standard ‘layer 2’ 8-port switch. This type of switch supports up to 4 WiFi access points. Some require higher specification equipment, or more than 4 WiFi access points. As more access points are added, more ports are required on the switch to support them.
In some cases thick internal walls, or high quality insulation, restrict the transmission of WiFi connectivity, necessitating a multi-room and multi-WiFi access point solution. If these additional requirements are flagged at the solution design stage, they are included in the site’s equipment order. Where this becomes evident after installation, they are treated as additional requirements and Vodafone return to install further access points or an upgraded switch as required. It should be noted that equipment and labour are prioritised at sites that are awaiting initial installation.
The solution designs for individual BCPs can thus differ, and may include either a layer 2 switch (WiFi only) or a layer 3 switch (wired and networked equipment) with varying numbers of ports available depending on the number of access points and wired devices to be deployed.
The global chipset shortage has impacted on the manufacture of a wide diversity of digitally-enabled products. In terms of the BCP programme, there have been significant delays in the supply of 8-port layer 3 switches which were ordered in September 2021 and delivered at the end of February 2022, and WiFi access points which were also ordered in September 2021 and were delivered in January 2022.
It should be noted that the remaining equipment needed to complete Vodafone’s installations is now in stores. However, additional orders that have been placed by BCPs and local authorities may still be subject to delays. The lead in times for access points, for example, are currently 12 – 16 weeks.
