Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004
243 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government plans to ensure that there is a strong, vigorous competitor to Eircom that will bring the needed real broadband services to every community in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4338/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my announcement of the broadband action plan in December last, I outlined the key elements of the scheme to bring broadband connectivity to over 350,000 people living in areas where broadband is not yet available.
The key elements of the plan are: connecting over 90 towns with a population of greater than 1,500 to broadband with community broadband exchanges and strategic fibre; a new group broadband scheme, similar to group water schemes, where smaller rural communities can join with service providers to put forward proposals for broadband infrastructure in their area; a committed spend of €35 million annually from Government between now and 2007; new policy directions to the Commission for Communications Regulation focusing on delivering competitive pricing, and the dedicated website www.broadband.gov.ie which will allow broadband consumers to register their interest and to see the details of prices and availability of broadband services in their area.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that I also announced details of the new high-speed broadband offerings on the Esat BT and ESB fibre networks. Pricing on both these complementary offerings are on a par with the best available internationally. All of these announcements will assist in promoting availability and competition in the Irish broadband market.
244 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will ensure that the newly constructed MANs, the only Government controlled telecom assets, will not come under the influence of Eircom, either directly or indirectly through commercial relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4339/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraArrangements for the marketing, management, operation and maintenance of the metropolitan area networks — MANs — will be consistent with the Government's strategy of providing broadband infrastructure on an open access and carrier neutral basis.
It is intended that this ‘open-access' principle will be enshrined in a code of practice for the use of the metropolitan area networks thus ensuring that access to the infrastructure is administered on fair, transparent and non-discriminatory terms to all interested parties.
