The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.
The Government intervenes when there is clear evidence of market failure. An example of such an intervention is the National Broadband Scheme which aims to provide access to affordable and scalable broadband services to fixed residences and businesses within certain designated rural areas. 11 electoral divisions in county Kildare are included in this Scheme. Details of these areas can be found on the NBS service provider's (3 Ireland) website, www.three.ie
It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).
The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. In addition, we have received State Aid clearance from the Commission for the scheme. My Department is currently progressing the design and implementation of a scheme which would use this funding to address the issue of basic broadband availability to un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. It is hoped to commence this scheme in late 2010 and have it completed by 2012. The application process has not yet begun. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched.