Update: Communication Black Spots – Communications, Energy & Natural Resources 23rd October, 2014

[Ref No.: 40876/14]

*  To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which communication black spots throughout the country have been identified with particular reference to improved broadband and mobile telephone coverage; if some areas are equally affected by both; the action taken or proposed to be taken to address such infrastructural deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Bernard J. Durkan.

*    For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 23rd October, 2014.

(673  Received on 20th October, 2014.)

REPLY

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Alex White)
In terms of the quality of mobile phone coverage throughout the country, mobile licences issued by ComReg require Mobile Network Operators to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. There are no Universal Service Obligations attached to mobile phone licences and the design of individual networks is a matter entirely for the operators concerned.

Given that mobile telephone services operate on radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network and more generally the quality of access which customers have to mobile telephone antennas. That said, mobile service providers are rolling out 4G mobile services and upgrading 3G services which should further improve the coverage and quality of mobile service throughout the country.

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention.

The National Broadband Plan has a dedicated work-stream looking at the removal of barriers to the rollout of both broadband and mobile telephony infrastructure. A working group has been established to address infrastructure barriers. It is chaired by the Department of Transport and includes representatives from my Department, the Local Government Management Agency, the National Roads Authority and Local Authorities.

One of the current projects under the remit of the Group, is a review of issues surrounding the potential location of telecommunications infrastructure on public roads with a view to providing advice to telecommunications operators as to how such infrastructure could be accommodated along all major routes, with a particular focus on motorways. Consultation between the NRA and industry is ongoing and it is hoped that this would assist in reducing communications blackspots on motorways. Local Authorities also have an important role in working with telecommunications operators to assist in the rollout of supporting infrastructure.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of the 2.3m addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years.

Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene with high speed broadband services where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list of areas has already identified a number of areas that will require State intervention.

As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. 32 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department earlier today.

I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future.

A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.

A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.