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Telecommunications Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (262)

James Lawless

Question:

262. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to implementing a programme similar to the Shared Rural Network as was recently rolled out in the United Kingdom to provide essential mobile coverage to those areas in rural Ireland which currently experience little to no coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19807/22]

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Written answers

Mobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by the independent regulator, ComReg, to mobile operators. ComReg advises that the current minimum coverage obligations in those licences are being considerably exceeded by all operators. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years was in the order of €3.3 billion for both fixed and mobile services. This has significantly enhanced the availability of services, both voice and data, throughout Ireland, including in rural areas.  ComReg is currently in the process of running another Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four spectrum bands. The award comprises 470 MHz of spectrum and represents a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland. This will significantly enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. The proposals include significant coverage obligations for prospective winning bidders.  

To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available at this link ). This map provides consumers with very clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage.

The Shared Rural Network programme which sees the UK Government working in partnership with the four UK mobile network operators was developed to improve digital infrastructure and increase connectivity. This is similar to the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce ('the Taskforce') which has been in operation since 2016 and has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. It has completed over 70 targeted actions to alleviate connectivity barriers and continues to tackle issues impeding the rollout of mobile and fixed connectivity. The Taskforce is co-managed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).

Relevant links associated with the work of the Taskforce can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/db7f83-mobile-phone-and-broadband-taskforce/.

Question No. 263 answered with Question No. 250.
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