Gerard Murphy
Ceist:167 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timetable for broadband roll-out in all counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22106/03]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
The provision of communications infrastructure and services is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market, with reference to the direction and supervision of the Commission for Communications Regulation.
Currently, a basic telephone connection allows normal speed dial-up to the Internet in any area. Higher rates of access, such as those provided by digital subscriber lines, wireless, fibre optic or satellite-based systems, are available on the market from a number of licensed telecommunications service providers. A full list of providers is available from the commission's office, Irish Life Mall, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1 or from the website http://www.comreg.ieTo accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services throughout the country by the private sector, my Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in recent years. These programmes have been designed following consultation and support from the various development agencies such as the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
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. Thirteen projects to a total value of €70 million were supported.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an indicative €200 million has been set aside under the e-commerce and telecommunications measure, to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services and to enhance the potential for the development of electronic commerce facilities. This investment, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, addresses the infrastructural deficit caused by the private sector companies' lack of resources for investment, and supports a comprehensive programme of development of metropolitan area fibre networks, new national fibre trunk lines, and extension of digital subscriber lines to 1.2 million telephone lines by mid-2004.
My Department is also exploring the potential of satellite and wireless based technologies to promote the deployment of broadband access in Ireland, particularly in remote areas. Pilot projects, utilising VSAT and Wireless LAN technologies are under way in a number of locations countrywide, to assess their suitability as a platform for the delivery of advanced broadband services.. The results of these trials are expected to be available by year end.