Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan today welcomed the EU Commission’s approval of the Government’s National Broadband Scheme.
The National Broadband Scheme received State Aid clearance following formal notification by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of the scheme to the EU Commission[1].
Commenting on the news of the Commission’s approval of the Scheme, Minister Ryan said “I am delighted that the Commission have granted state aid approval for the National Broadband Scheme so promptly. This is a clear demonstration of how importantly broadband provision is regarded here and in Europe. This Government has made the delivery of broadband services to rural areas that are not yet served a key goal in our Programme for Government. This decision by the Commission now paves the way for the selection of a preferred bidder and the roll out of the badly needed new services as soon as possible.”
The procurement process for the NBS was launched in May 2007. Four candidates have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process which is underway. The four candidates (in alphabetical order) are:
- BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium,
- Eircom Ltd,
- Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and
- IFA/Motorola Consortium.
The Department has invited these remaining to participate in the “Competitive Dialogue” procurement process and the candidates are due to respond in December 2007. The candidates will then be invited to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department’s requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.
[1] Please find details of the State Aid Decision at the following link http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/comp-2007/n475-07.pdf
ENDS
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- Email: press.office@dcenr.gov.ie
Fáilte Uí Riain Roimh Cead Stát-Chúnaimh don Scéim Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda
D’fhear tAire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, Éamonn Ó Riain TD, fáilte roimh cead Choimisiúin an Aontais Eorpaigh don Scéim Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda (SNL).
Tháinig an cead Stát-Chúnaimh de thoradh an scéim a chur in iúl do Choimisiún an Aontais Eorpaigh (AE) ag an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha (RCFAN)[1].
Ag caint dó faoi chead an Choimisiúin don scéim, arsa an tAire Ó Riain: “Tá áthas orm gur cheadaigh an Coimisiún don stát-chúnamh don Scéim Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda chomh scioptha. Léiríonn sé tábhacht an idirnascadh leathanbhanda don AE agus d’Éirinn araon. Is bun-aidhm don Rialtas seo í faoin Clár Rialtais, seirbhísí leathanbhanda a sheachadadh do chíbe ceantracha tuaithe nach bhfuil a leithead de sheirbhís acu cheana. Le cinneadh seo an Choimisiúin éascaítear dúinn tairgeoir iontofa a roghnú agus seirbhísí go bhfuil géarghá leo a rothlú amach a luaithe agus is féidir.”
Seoladh an próiseas soláthair don SNL i mBealtaine 2007. Tá ceithre iarratasóir réamh-cháilithe le cur isteach ar an gcéad gné eile den bpróiseas soláthair. Is iad na hiarratasóirí, in ord na h-aibítre:
- Cuibhreannas ag Comhlacht BT Communications Ireland Ltd
- Cuibhreannas de IFA/Motorola
- Eircom Ltd
- Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd
Thug an Roinn cuireadh don cheithre bhall seo páirt a ghlacadh i bpróiseas soláthair i bhfoirm “Agallamh Iomaíochta” agus tá súil lena bhfreagairtí i mí na Nollag 2007. Iarrfar annsan ar na hiarratasóirí a gcuid tograí a léiriú don Roinn, conas a thagann siad le mian na Roinne seirbhís leathanbhanda a sheachadadh dos na ceantracha den tír atá ina héagmais. Síltear go roghnófar tairgeoir iontofa agus go gceapfar conraitheoir i Meitheamh 2008.
[1] Tiocfar ar bhreis eolais faoin chead Stát-Chúnaimh ag an nasc a leanas: http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/comp-2007/n475-07.pdf
CRÍOCH