Fast broadband for all by 2020 pledge

Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alex White has published online national and county maps showing which areas of the country are due to have high-speed broadband available from commercial operators by 2016, and he said remaining areas will be covered by government intervention. 

The map indicates that 600,000 houses and 100,000 businesses will require direct state intervention to provide high-speed broadband access.

The department aims to ensure all citizens get access to high-speed broadband, no matter where they live or work. It predicts progress by 2015 through commercial delivery of broadband speeds of at least 70Mbps to 50% of the population.

However, leveraging private and public investment, and addressing planning and road opening challenges, are among the actions needed to facilitate full broadband provision. Mr White has set a target of 2020 for connection of the last houses, schools and businesses.

IFA welcomed the Government’s new National Broadband Plan, with director of Organisation James Kelly saying the identification of defined rural areas to be supported and announcement of a delivery roadmap were important steps forward.

He said farming is becoming increasingly reliant on high- speed connectivity.

But Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association rural development chairman Billy Gray said the Government’s plan for high-speed broadband is too slow, and rural-dwellers were fed up with empty promises on broadband.

The Communications Department has issued the following information to householders.

How do I find out if my premises is included?

>> The department has developed an online map showing where we believe high-speed broadband will be available from commercial operators by 2016. These are coloured blue on the map. All the areas in the map coloured amber will be covered by the Government intervention. To find your premises on the map, log on to www.broadband.gov.ie/ and follow the instructions.

How have these areas been selected?

Under EU competition rules, the State can only fund services or infrastructure where there is clear evidence that the commercial sector has not invested and will not invest. We have selected these areas based on information provided to us by telecommunications companies operating in Ireland. These are the target areas for the State’s investment.

When can I expect to receive a service through the National Broadband Plan?

We expect the physical build of this network to begin in late 2016. The network will be rolled out incrementally to communities from 2016.

The company or companies selected to complete the rollout will include rollout times in their bids.

Why is it taking so long?

>> This is a large and complex project and we need to get it right. Our aim is to deliver high-quality, high-speed broadband infrastructure that will stand the test of time. This requires careful planning.

What plans have commercial operators got?

The high-speed broadband map 2016 only shows the footprint for combined commercial investment in high-speed broadband. It does not give specific company details.

Each company has its own commercial investment plans. They generally provide information on their websites. You can also contact the companies individually to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on their plans.

When will I get commercial service and from which service provider?

If you are in the blue area on the map, you have been classified as being outside the area of the State intervention because you will get high- speed broadband from an existing commercial operator.

This is based on information and data supplied to the department by commercial operators. The precise timing of the installation of the networks to support a next-generation broadband service to your area is a matter for the commercial operators but we can confirm that it will be by the end of 2016 at the latest.

Is there anything you can do in the interim?

In developing this intervention, the department must take account of the various legal and regulatory obligations that exist, both in terms of national and EU laws.

It will therefore not be possible for us to put in place interim measures. In the meantime however, the commercial sector is continuing to invest heavily in bringing better and faster broadband services, including mobile coverage, to more communities.

How much will it cost to build?

Given the scale of the proposed intervention, the rural nature of the proposed coverage areas, and the scarcity of existing fibre networks, building a network will be costly.

This is precisely why commercial operators have said that they cannot cover these areas. The State however, intends to bridge the gap. Detailed costings are part of the intervention strategy but these will remain confidential so as to drive better value for the Exchequer in any tender process.

What technology will be used to deliver this service?

The State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality high speed broadband of at least 30mbps.

This will be a specific requirement of our tender and it will be for the bidders to outline how this will be best achieved.

What new equipment will I need in my house?

This is a matter for each customer to discuss with the retail operator that will be providing the service to the customer’s premises.

What can I expect from this new service?

>> With the provision of high- speed broadband, consumers, whether business or domestic, will experience significant improvement in the quality of their broadband.

The new service will enable a wide variety of different uses from what was available or possible with a basic service. In addition to faster speeds, consumers will enjoy far greater reliability than they currently experience.

The Broadband Plan