Minister for Communications Denis Naughten said it is expected that a contract for the State procurement of high-speed broadband will be awarded by June 2017. In response to a parliamentary question from Independent TD Thomas Pringle, Minister Naughten said engagement with the industry stakeholders has indicated the rollout in the State intervention area “could be achieved within three to five years of the contract award”. This means it could be 2022 before full broadband rollout is achieved. However, a pre-election promise by the Government had said every home and business would have
high-speed broadband by 2020.
Minister for Communications Denis Naughten said it is expected that a contract for the State procurement of high-speed broadband will be awarded by June 2017.
In response to a parliamentary question from Independent TD Thomas Pringle, Minister Naughten said engagement with the industry stakeholders has indicated the rollout in the State intervention area “could be achieved within three to five years of the contract award”. This means it could be 2022 before full broadband rollout is achieved. However, a pre-election promise by the Government had said every home and business would have high-speed broadband by 2020.
Under the National Broadband Plan, it is expected that 70% of all premises in the country will receive high-speed services from the commercial telecommunications market. The remaining 30%, some 750,000 premises, are under a State procurement.
Having received five responses from prospective bidders under the State procurement, the Minister for Communications said he expects the second stage of the process, involving shortlisted bidders, to happen within the next month.
Industry stakeholders
Following the submission of final tenders, the winning bidder will then be selected and the contract will be awarded in June of next year.
Rollout will commence once the contract is in place, which industry stakeholders have indicated could take three to five years.
“Based on industry consultations, it is expected that 85% of all premises in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband within two years after rollout commences, with all premises being connected within the five years or sooner.”
Minister Naugthen added that he is currently in discussion with the Minister for Regional Development and Rural Affairs Heather Humphries over the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan.
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