Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 November 2019
166. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the implications and impact of the roll-out of 5G networks on the national broadband plan. [45620/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe roll out of 5G services across Ireland will be important to meeting the country’s future connectivity needs; 5G will offer improvements in services and unlock new opportunities to businesses, communities and citizens across the State.
Ireland is a front runner in supporting the adoption of 5G services and exploring its potential capabilities. The State’s early allocation of the 3.6Ghz spectrum in 2017, (the first in Europe) and the actions to remove commercial barriers to 5G rollouts, undertaken through the Government’s Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce are both key enablers to ensuring 5G becomes a reality in Ireland at the earliest opportunity. The recent announcements by a number of commercial operators to launch 5G services is therefore a welcome development.
The future connectivity needs of citizens will be met by a combination of solutions, that will include 5G along with a range of complementary services including 4G and 3G, together with fixed high speed broadband services, such as those that will be provided under National Broadband Plan. ComReg's report on Meeting Consumers' Connectivity Needs (https://www.comreg.ie/improving-connectivity-in-ireland-challenges-solutions-and-actions/) highlights this point.
