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.
Recognising that due to a downturn in the telecommunications sector in recent years private sector companies may have difficulty in funding the major infrastructure developments that are needed for broadband delivery to the regions, the Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the e-commerce and communications measure of the NDP 2000 to 2006 for telecommunications infrastructure developments in areas where private sector investment is lacking. This investment, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is supporting a comprehensive programme of development including metropolitan area fibre networks, new national fibre trunk lines and extension of digital subscriber lines to 1.2 million telephone lines by mid-2004. Pilot projects using Wireless LAN technology are under way in a number of locations, including Ardee, to assess its suitability as a platform for the delivery of advanced broadband services in the regions. The results of these trials are expected to be available by the end of 2003.