Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
101 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the adequacy of the upload speed as part of the national broadband scheme; if he is satisfied that the coverage map used for the national broadband scheme is an accurate reflection of the areas not served by broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is to provide access to affordable scaleable broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service.
Following the conclusion of a technology neutral procurement process, which was open to all broadband service providers from across all platforms, my Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the NBS.
3 will extend their network to provide mobile broadband services into the NBS area. The mobile broadband service will be delivered using Internet High Speed Packet Access (I-HSPA) technology and will cover up to 95% of the NBS coverage area. The service will have a minimum upload speed of 200kpbs. The 200kpbs product is the minimum speed available and is comparable to what is typically used by residential broadband users in urban areas. Additionally, the service will have a minimum download speed of 1.2mbps, a maximum contention ratio of 36:1, a latency of 120 milliseconds and a 15 gigabit (12 down, 3 up) inclusive monthly allowance limit.
Businesses currently without any broadband service will benefit by being able to send and receive emails and files, surf the web, and update their own websites. Under the NBS contract the broadband products will be upgraded to higher specifications (speeds, contention and data caps) in July 2010 and again in October 2012 without any increase in the monthly recurring charge.
In recognition of the fact that some areas will be very difficult to reach using standard infrastructure, 3 will make available a satellite product which is expected to cover around 5% of the NBS areas. The satellite product will have a minimum download speed of 1mbps, a minimum upload speed of 128kbps, a maximum contention ratio of 48:1, latency of 800 milliseconds and an 11 gigabit (10 down, 1 up) inclusive monthly allowance limit.
I am satisfied that the NBS will provide speeds comparable with products available in the market for urban areas and greatly assist in bridging the digital divide.
As regards the accuracy of the mapping undertaken for the scheme, a comprehensive mapping process has been undertaken. The process involves:
contacting service providers for details of their broadband coverage;
inserting service provider data on a broadband coverage map using specialist expertise and software;
consulting with Regional Authorities to request that they confirm, as far as was possible, the broadband coverage information provided in the maps;
requesting from the Regional Authorities information on any other service providers excluded from the mapping process; and
contacting additional service providers identified by the Regional Authorities and including their coverage on the map.
The resulting broadband coverage led to the creation of the map which was updated during the procurement process as appropriate, in consultation with the service providers. I am satisfied that all reasonable steps have been taken to maximise the accuracy of the map.
102 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that households that are not covered by the national broadband scheme and that do not benefit from any proposed upgrading of exchanges will be able to access broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4538/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken a variety of initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These initiatives have helped to facilitate the development of the market to the point where over 60% of Irish households now have a broadband connection. ComReg's quarterly report for Q3 2008 states that 61.1% of those households have a connection in the speed category of 2mbps — 10mbps. It is also encouraging that, at the end of Q1 2008, 83% of Irish SMEs had a broadband connection. Over 70% of those SMEs, according to ComReg's report for Q3 2008, have a connection in the speed category of 2mbps — 10mbps.
Following the conclusion of a technology neutral procurement process, which was open to all broadband service providers from across all platforms, my Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS).
EU State Aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas that are already substantially served by broadband. While recognising that some premises within substantially served areas may have difficulties for a variety of reasons (including long lines, pair gains, no line of sight etc.) in receiving a broadband service, the NBS cannot cater for such limited instances as to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. It is therefore a matter for service providers in an area to address, where possible, such instances of non access to broadband.
Ireland's energy policy framework identifies energy efficiency as the most cost effective means of reducing our dependence on imported energy, as well as mitigating harmful green house gas emissions. Government has set a target of 20% energy efficiency by 2020 and, recognising that the public sector must act as exemplars in the field of energy usage, has set a more stretching target of 33% energy efficiency, for the public sector, by 2020.
I previously indicated to the House that I anticipated publishing the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan prior to Christmas but finalisation of the Plan has taken somewhat longer than I then anticipated. Inter-Departmental consultation is nearing completion on the issue and, after Government approval, I expect to publish the Plan within weeks. In the interim I would draw the Deputy's attention to the important announcement on grant aid for home insulation measures, which I made on Sunday, 8th February.
