Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends rolling out a programme similar to the national broadband scheme to ensure effective 100% good-quality coverage of mobile broadband and phone services throughout the State in view of the large areas that are still without a service, particularly in hill areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2090/23]
View answerThe roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
ComReg is currently completing a Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four key Spectrum bands to enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. This award will represent a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland and will include significant coverage obligations for the winning bidders. In addition, the Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce continues to implement actions specifically designed to remove barriers to telecoms infrastructure rollout.
ComReg is continually updating and enhancing its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: coveragemap.comreg.ie/map) to provide clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage. In 2022, ComReg updated this map to include 5G data. This information can assist customers when considering moving to or visiting a particular area and in highlighting blackspots that need to be addressed.
