Concerns are raised over broadband plan

A NORTHSIDE TD has criticised the Government’s handling of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) after SSE withdrew from the consortium with enet, who were final bidders for the project.

Dublin Fingal TD Louise O’Reilly (SF) said: “In July last year, I warned that the Government’s plan for the roll out of broadband in Fingal was inadequate.

“Like many other constituencies with a mix of rural and urban areas, Dublin Fingal faces many challenges in creating jobs, retaining existing employment, and encouraging investment. Broadband is essential to meeting these challenges.

“The Government’s implementation of its broadband strategy, first announced in 2012, has been confused and inefficient. 

“Last year, Eir, the State’s largest telecommunications company, and Siro pulled out from the tendering process. This left the enet consortium as the sole remaining bidder for the contract.” 

Deputy O’Reilly said news that SSE has left the enet consortium raises significant concerns about the Government’s ability to fulfil its commitment to provide high speed broadband to the remaining 542,000 premises across the State by 2020.

“It especially raises serious concerns for the almost 94,000 homes and businesses in Fingal which are still waiting for broadband, the contract for which was supposed to be awarded early last year,” she added. “As the fastest growing region on the island, Fingal’s future economic and social development depends on the development of Broadband provision, the Government needs to act fast.” 

In a statement, following news of SSE’s withdrawal from the process, the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment said it is in the final stages of a procurement process to appoint a company to rollout high speed broadband to all houses and businesses in every area of the country. 

“The NBP remains on track, with a final bid expected from the enet consortium in the coming weeks,” said a spokesperson. “It is intended the procurement process will reach a conclusion shortly thereafter.

“The enet consortium has reaffirmed its commitment to the National Broadband Plan and timelines around the procurement process. A formal notification from the consortium with regard to structural changes is awaited. 

“The Government has allocated an initial €275 million in the Capital Plan (Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021), published on September 29, 2015, for the initial years of the network build-out. 

“This €275 million represents an initial stimulus for the first five years.  Significant further funding will be required over the lifetime of the proposed 25-year contract. 

“The total value of the State subsidy has yet to be finalised and will only be known after the competitive tender process has concluded and final tender has been received.” 

The spokesperson added: “The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.”