Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre.
I understand that mobile and satellite broadband is available in the general area of Glanworth, County Cork. Details of broadband availability throughout the country are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that information contained on this website is provided by the service providers.
EU State Aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers. Accordingly, the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was approved by the EU Commission, is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. For this reason, the general area of Glanworth, County Cork ,does not fall within the NBS.
The widespread acceptance of the benefits of broadband has motivated the EU Commission to set aside a portion of European Economic Recovery Package (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives.
I am considering how the provision of broadband services to un-served rural premises can be achieved through an appropriate intervention under the EERP. My Department is currently considering options for the design of such a scheme. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband.
Discussions have already commenced with the European Commission on the first step of applying for and securing State Aid clearance.