Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
104. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to the Commission for Communications Regulator 2018 Report Improving connectivity in Ireland which made it clear that high levels of mobile broadband coverage on a geographic basis would not be achieved in Ireland by the market itself and would require policy or regulatory interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22344/22]
View answerAs set out in the 2018 Report, Government initiatives, including the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, are fundamental to making high-speed broadband fixed connectivity available to all premises in Ireland, and to identifying solutions to barriers obstructing the provision of improved mobile phone and broadband coverage. 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.
In terms of regulatory interventions, 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.
Since 2016, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. The Taskforce met last week to agree a new work programme focused on ensuring access to high quality telecommunications connectivity across Ireland to support social and economic development.
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. Telecommunication operators have committed to continued investment programmes in the coming years, estimated to be in the region of €700m per annum.
Ireland’s level of connectivity to support digital activity has improved significantly in recent years. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) is a composite index summarising relevant indicators on Europe’s digital performance. Ireland ranked 5th in 2021 among EU countries, compared to 11th in 2019. The continued investment by commercial operators and by the State through the NBP will ensure that Ireland is set to become the EU leader in connectivity by the second half of this decade.
