Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
David Stanton
Ceist:
318
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the plans the Government has to communicate the benefits of digital subscriber line to business and the wider public generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21072/02]
Simon Coveney
Ceist:
322
Mr. Coveney
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the target he has set for the roll-out of a broadband service to the country; the budgeted cost of the roll-out project; and the progress to date in this regard.
[21380/02]
Richard Bruton
Ceist:
327
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the main obstacles to Ireland achieving high availability of broadband access for domestic and small business users; if he has satisfied himself with the investment programmes being put in place by telecom companies and by operators of cable networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21476/02]
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:
333
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the position regarding the provision under the regional broadband programme for Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21593/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 322, 327 and 333 together.
One of the principal factors which affects the uptake of broadband services is the price at which they are available. The price is in large part determined by the supply of the infrastructure and services which, in a fully liberated communications market, is the responsibility of the private sector companies offering these services. The ODTR also has a role in regulating the prices at which broadband is made available. My responsibility is for public policy in the sector within which these companies operate. The widest possible availability of competitive services has traditionally been an important objective of Irish telecommunications policy.
The provision and promotion of communications infrastructure and services including DSL broadband is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market. However, recognising that there are areas of the country that are not as economically attractive for firms to invest in infrastructure and services due to differing demographics and population densities and cognisant that the global economic downturn has adversely affected companies ability to invest, my Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to facilitate the roll-out of advanced communications infrastructure, including DSL, which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in regional Ireland.
In 1999, under the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, and Interreg II, €26.5 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Some 13 projects which rolled-out broadband nationwide to a value (both public and private funding) of €70 million were supported and are now completed. These projects entailed the roll-out of broadband services in the Border, midlands and west region and the south and east region.
Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, the indicative figure allocated to telecommunications initiatives was approximately €200 million. Funding under this communications and e-commerce measure of the NDP will be utilised to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services which will enhance the potential for the development of electronic commerce facilities and enable the electronic provision of public services, including education services, virtual libraries, welfare and health services.
A first call for proposals was run in 2000 and on foot of submissions received, nine contracts were signed at the beginning of last year which will result in additional investment in the regions in broadband infrastructure and increased availability of broadband services for business and residential users. The projects involved are scheduled to be completed by the end of next year and will entail an overall investment of €160 million in broadband leveraged from grant assistance of approximately €55 million.
Of the projects selected under this call under the communications measure of the NDP 2000-2006, my Department will fund Esat-BT with up to €9 million to roll-out a €25 million DSL programme at 40 centres outside of the Dublin area. Under the second call, €3.7 million has been made available to Eircom in respect of DSL roll-out at 14 exchanges nationwide. In addition, I am also aware that Eircom is rolling out DSL at 32 centres in the greater Dublin area. I am also informed that by the end of the year 500,000 lines will be DSL enabled which will greatly facilitate the deployment of broadband nationwide. The roll out of DSL may, in the short-term, satisfy the demand for broadband for residential and some SMEs. In the medium to long-term it is expected that the demand for broadband will grow rapidly and that the demand for fibre will increase.
The broadband programme announced in March will involve 20 projects which will lead to the construction of metropolitan area fibre optic networks in towns, including Dungarvan to link up with the existing backbone network in the country at a projected cost of €60 million. The town links will facilitate consumers, educational establishments, industry and business and provide "always on" low cost and high speed Internet access which will drive the Governments e-commerce agenda. By reducing the cost of access to fibre rings, it will facilitate the provision of broadband services by a greater a number of operators and the ensuing competition should benefit the end users in these towns. The relevant local authorities have been asked to enter procurement to establish firm prices for their proposals. I understand that the tender process for the civil works for the SERA projects including Dungarvan has closed and that the proposals are currently being ecvaluated. Once procurement is completed, and subject to satisfactory pricing, contracts will be offered for these projects in the order that the local authorities complete the procurement processes to the satisfaction of my Department. It is anticipated that this will take place over the coming months. It is expected that these projects will be completed within 12 to 18 months.
Under the first call under the communications measure of the NDP 2000-2006, my Department will fund Esat-BT with up to €9 million to roll-out a €25 million DSL programme at 40 centres outside of the Dublin area by the end of the year. Under the second call, €3.7 million has been made available to Eircom in respect of DSL rollout at 14 exchanges nationwide. In addition, I am also aware that Eircom is rolling out DSL at 32 centres in the greater Dublin area.
