Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
114. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to investigate the reason NBI sought approval for the erection of a pole directly in front of a person's house (details supplied); the reason NBI did not seek an alternative location; if the cable could have been brought underground like the cables from this person's house onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17342/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
NBI reports that all 955 Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) sites have been installed before the end of 2023, of which 283 are publicly accessible Broadband Connection Point sites now connected with high-speed broadband service through a service provider contract with Vodafone. The remaining 672 installed SCPs are part of the SCP Schools Programme.
The remaining targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
NBI have advised that following discussions with their Design team, it has been determined that, upon careful investigation of the circumstances by NBI which takes place on a case-by-case basis, the decision has been made to relocate the pole in question.
