Vol. 577 No. 4
215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to modernise the telecommunications industry with a view to ensuring that state of the art technology is available right throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31650/03]
An indicative €200 million was set aside under the e-commerce and communications measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 to leverage investment in advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
Following the first call for proposals under this measure, five private sector companies signed contracts with my Department with grant thresholds totalling €31.7 million. With the assistance of this funding, Eircom and Esat BT have rolled out digital subscriber lines to many parts of the country, ESB telecoms have constructed a 1,300 km fibre trunk network along their main power transmission grid, and Crossan Cable and Energis have upgraded their cable networks and switches. All of these projects have now been completed.
The current metropolitan area networks under construction in 19 towns and cities will be completed by the middle of next year with the assistance of Government funding of €64 million. While this is a major investment programme in its own right, the intention is to deliver a great deal more on a new high speed agenda which a progressive economy demands.
An additional €140 million has been secured from Government in a multi-annual budget between now and 2007 which will, among other things, deliver broadband infrastructure to towns with an aggregate population of over 350,000 people who currently have no access to broadband and no immediate prospect of it. To ensure that small rural communities outside of the urban areas can also get broadband, a group broadband scheme is also proposed. These programmes will be delivered in co-operation with the telecoms industry here.
Yesterday I outlined details of the new regional high-speed broadband connectivity framework deals with ESB telecoms and Esat BT that will be key drivers of broadband for over 40 towns in all four provinces. In addition to these developments, I welcome this week's announcement by Eircom that it intends to substantially extend its broadband coverage by 2005.
