Currently, there is no EU-wide universal service obligation for broadband, apart from a guarantee of "functional broadband connectivity" which equates to a dial-up service. The EU Commission has recently embarked on a public consultation process aimed at looking at whether this should be extended to include universal access to broadband.
In Ireland we aim to achieve full access to broadband through a combination of market forces and targeted Government intervention.
The provision of broadband services here 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 telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so.
The Group Broadband Scheme, National Broadband Scheme and the planned Rural Broadband Scheme are examples of where Government has intervened to ensure broadband availability in areas, particularly rural ones, where commercial investors have failed to provide services.
Once the NBS has been fully rolled out in October next all parts of Ireland will have broadband availability. This is some three years ahead of the target date set by the EU Commission in its "Digital Agenda". A planned Rural Broadband Scheme to be rolled out next year will aim to cover any remaining rural, non-NBS premises that cannot currently avail of a broadband service.
I will also consider the enactment of legislation that would provide for broadband as a right for all citizens of Ireland.
