Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
462. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the issue that persons cannot access online services such as applying for college accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into office almost 400,000 additional premises have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. There are approximately 17 premises in the townland of Beltichburne. Of these 3 (18%) are or will be served by commercial providers. The remaining 14 (82%) will be addressed through the National Broadband Plan State led Intervention.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and fully appreciate the frustration felt by people who do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity under the NBP where commercial providers would not otherwise act remains a Government priority.
In the interim, there may be some connection options available to those in Beltichburne. According to my Department's technical team there is a mast located approximately 2.5 kilometres from Beltichburne. This mast is utilised by all retail mobile operators. It has clear line of sight to Beltichburne and should be capable of providing a good quality signal level and download speeds to premises. Individuals can check with mobile operators on capability of providing 4G LTE services.
In addition to that potential interim solution, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
