Communications Minister Eamon Ryan today launched the Government’s policy on Next Generation broadband, for public consultation.
Speaking at the launch of a policy on high-speed next generation broadband Minister Ryan said, “The Government is setting the development of a knowledge economy at the heart of our economic and social policy. For this to occur, Ireland requires a truly national broadband infrastructure.”
He emphasised that having a world class broadband infrastructure would attract the cutting-edge, knowledge based industries needed to secure Ireland’s future economic prosperity and competitiveness. This will equally benefit society and the consumer who is looking for greater coverage, lower costs and higher speeds.
“The successful transformation to a knowledge economy will be a key determinant of economic success for countries in the coming years”.
Minister Ryan said, “We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people availing of broadband in this country. We now have over 1 million broadband subscribers in Ireland. We have been catching up but we cannot stand still.
Technology is advancing rapidly and will enable far greater convergence between traditional forms of mobile and fixed communications at higher speeds. The purpose of this paper is to place Ireland in pole position to avail of the opportunities of the new internet economy.”
The Minister set clear targets for the Government and outlined the financial input. The Government is pledging to have universal access to broadband in Ireland by early 2010 and that by 2012 our broadband speeds would equal or exceed those in comparator EU regions.
To make this a reality, investment of €435 million has been earmarked under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
In order to achieve this, Minister Ryan set out a number of policy actions the Government would undertake. These include:
- The National Broadband Scheme would ensure that “all requests” for broadband will be met in areas currently without access to a broadband service. Rollout of this scheme will commence shortly to be completed by New Year 2010.
- Our schools will be at the centre of the new digital age. The Government will deliver high-speed broadband (100 Mbits) to every second level school in the country.
- All new major infrastructure projects will install backhaul ‘ducting’ at the construction phase. The Government will establish a one-stop-shop to give service providers flexible and open access to existing and future ducting infrastructure.
- By the end of this year, new build premises will require open access fibre connections.
- The significant purchasing power of the state would be used to develop far greater access to Government services online. This will stimulate demand, create economies of scale and improve the quality of public service to the citizen.
- Positioning Ireland as a testing-ground for the trialling and development of new digital services and telecommunications technologies
The Government’s ten point plan includes specific actions in relation to international connectivity, the regulatory regime, the allocation of spectrum and a specialised research programme.
“The Government will work with the private sector to deliver the next generation of broadband for Ireland. This is the infrastructure to develop our economy and provide imaginative technological solutions for our society. It will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and greater connection with peoples around the world”.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
In summary, the ten Government commitments are:
- Government will target capital investment of €435m to address the digital divide
- Universal broadband coverage in Ireland by late 2009 / early 2010
- 100 Mbits per second broadband connectivity to be introduced to secondary schools on a phased basis
- Future investment will be determined in accordance with value for money review of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
- Ensure Ireland’s continued high level of international connectivity
- Major public infrastructure projects will have to install ducting at the construction phase. Government will establish a one stop shop to provide service providers with flexible and open access to existing and future ducting infrastructure
- New premises will be required to install open access fibre connections where practicable
- Maintenance of the regulatory framework necessary for fair and transparent competition across a range of platforms. Allocation of spectrum to encourage trialling and development of flexible new mobile technologies
- Use of Government purchasing power in order to stimulate demand, create economies of scale and better public services
- Establishment of a specialised research programme to monitor developments
A public forum on the Next Generation Broadband Consultation Paper which will include consumer groups and industry will meet in September on a date to be announced.
The date for the final receipt of written submissions on this consultation paper will be towards the end of September.
A full copy of the consultation paper is available at: http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Communications/Regulation+and+Postal+Division/Public+Consultations/
For further information, please contact:
Press Office
Department of Communications, Energy &
Natural Resources
T: 678 2441 / 087 7708631 / 087 9349295
E.mail: press.office@dcenr.gov.ie