Seán Sherlock
Ceist:77. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made on the roll-out of the national broadband plan. [14224/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 27 March 2019
Ceisteanna (77, 82)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:82. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when it is expected that a decision will be made regarding the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14144/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 82 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.4 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address or Eircode.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.