Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
56. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts that are being made to improve broadband in areas in which it is particularly bad, such as an area (details supplied) and areas that have not been included in any improvement works to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55185/22]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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. Under State aid rules, my Department is not permitted to displace commercial investment by intervening in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these State Aid rules. I understand that commercial broadband providers indicate that they are in a position to offer a high speed broadband service to each of the premises identified.
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.
