My officials have investigated the issue referred to in the question. Having checked the details on the Department’s High Speed Broadband (HSBB) Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, I can confirm that both premises are in a BLUE area. BLUE areas are parts of the country where commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. The Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The activities of these commercial operators are not funded by the State and therefore are not planned, designed or directed by the Department in any capacity. The Department cannot compel providers to upgrade services in any area or to any premises, or influence their day-to-day operations in any way. Furthermore, the Department has no role in ensuring the uppermost speeds available in the domestic market are accessible to every premises in the State.
My officials have been advised that instances such as the one referred to in the question do occur. The prevailing infrastructure, particularly with copper Distribution Points, is typically situated at one end of a row of terraced houses, with Open Eir historically implementing a duct system designed to serve adjacent terraces. It appears that a similar approach is being pursued for the deployment of fibre broadband infrastructure.
However, challenges arise when a single property owner objects to the installation of new cables, effectively impeding the provision of services to subsequent residences in the network chain. It is regrettable to note that, as of the current juncture, there is not a definitive resolution to circumvent such impasses, which hinders the broader objective of ensuring universal broadband access.
This matter warrants further investigation to explore potential legislative or regulatory measures that could facilitate the resolution of such disputes, ensuring that the broader community's access to essential broadband services is not compromised by individual objections. The government is committed ensuring equitable broadband distribution for all citizens, recognizing the critical role of digital connectivity in contemporary society.
