Vol. 573 No. 1
202 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement in respect of the issue of all-Ireland phone charges as recently raised by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24422/03]
212 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he intends to put to the mobile communications companies to end the incidence of customers in Border counties incurring exorbi tant charges by inadvertently connecting with UK networks and to dispense with roaming charges on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24532/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 212 together.
I have recently spoken out on my dissatisfaction at the level of call roaming charges being applied by mobile operators in this State. As a Minister from a Border county, I am acutely aware of the impact of mobile call roaming charges on local people and local businesses. The issue is not simply one of mobile operators introducing all-Ireland tariffs, although this in itself is to be welcomed. The level of such tariffs and the terms and conditions attached also need to be examined in order to ensure that consumers are getting a fair deal. This area comes under the jurisdiction of the Commission for Communications Regulation and I have asked the commission to bring forward proposals to remedy this. Meanwhile, I will be keeping this matter under review and will continue to encourage mobile operators to address this matter themselves. If progress is not made in this area I will consider including the matter in a fresh policy direction to the Commission for Communications Regulation early next year.
203 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reasons Ballinasloe, County Galway, is not being connected to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24423/03]
The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised market. I understand that Eircom is already offering broadband services through the Ballinasloe telephone exchange.
In March 2002 the interdepartmental working group on telecommunications recommended the design and construction of metropolitan area fibre networks in 19 towns and cities across the country. These metropolitan networks, which include Galway and Athlone, are part of phase 1 of that programme and are now at the construction stage. Subsequent phases of the programme will be contingent on successful implementation of Phase 1. In addition to these developments, a number of telecommunications service providers are already marketing broadband services to all areas of the country, using wireless and satellite-based technologies. A full list of telecommunications service providers is available from the Commission for Communications Regulation at www.comreg.ie or telephone Lo-Call 1890 229600.
204 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether Ireland needs a pro-investment regulatory environment to ensure the proper and sustainable development of appropriate telecommunications infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24434/0;]
The Deputy will be aware that Commission for Communications Regulation is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions. Nevertheless, I have the power to issue policy directions to that body in order to ensure that the regulatory framework for the sector is in line with the overall objectives for the sector as laid down by the Government.
In February of this year, in the interests of the proper and effective regulation of the electronic communications and postal markets and the management of the radio frequency spectrum, I issued a policy direction on broadband electronic communications networks to the commission. This policy direction had the specific purpose of ensuring that the regulatory framework for electronic communications plays its part in contributing to the achievement of the Government's objectives regarding the widespread availability of open-access, affordable, always-on broadband infrastructure and services for businesses and citizens on a balanced regional basis in addition to general communications objectives: greater industry sustainability, regulation only where necessary, regulatory impact assessment, consistency across platforms and with other member states, regulation of retail prices, management of the radio frequency spectrum and the establishment of a universal postal service. I have asked the commission for regular reports and will continue to monitor progress.
Additionally, my Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in broadband and Internet provision under the national development plan in recent years. Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, approximately €200 million was allocated under the two regional communications and e-commerce measures. Funding under these measures is intended to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services.
205 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether the roll-out of broadband across Ireland may be hindered if local loop unbundling is not provided on a basis that will encourage investment into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24435/03]
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation.
206 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether additional detail is required under the policy directions pursuant to section 13 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002, in order to ensure full accountability and transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/03]
I will shortly be reviewing the impact of the policy directions I issued to the Commission for Communications Regulation last January with a view to ascertaining what further intervention is necessary to further regulatory action in the sector.
