Noel says he'll give ComReg more powers

damien

Like x-ray vision or something? Or spidey-sense?

Croke Park,, 27 April 2006

Speaking at the inaugural National Telecoms Summit 2006 in Croke Park this morning the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D., has said that he is proposing to give the communications regulator, Comreg concurrent competition law powers in an attempt to improve the competitive environment in the broadband sector.

"The other arm of the Government's telecoms policy, regulation has proven to be less muscular. Obviously the appropriate regulatory framework is a significant factor in creating the right environment to foster competition and improve broadband numbers.Despite the best efforts of the regulator, I am convinced that we haven't the regulatory framework in place that will allow for the creation of competition in a speedy and timely manner," said Minister Dempsey as the Summit this morning.

"Nowhere is this more evident in the area of local loop unbundling. Full local loop unbundling is essential. It increases competition, innovation and choice on the DSL network for consumers. It is also a legal requirement under the EU regulatory framework. Without it Ireland will never reach its potential. Because of this the Government has given approval to the heads of legislation which gives enhanced powers to ComReg to allow them to enforce regulatory decisions with the aim of improving competition in the sector. I expect to publish this legislation within the next few months," added the Minister.

"In the context of the current legislation, I will bring forward proposals to give ComReg concurrent competition law powers in the telecoms sector similar to the UK model. This will allow ComReg to investigate and take action in issues such as abuse of dominance," continued Minister Dempsey.

It's not all about regulation. Consumers can play a large role in speeding up broadband rollout. But we must stimulate that demand by clearly communicating the benefits of broadband to everyone. There is enormous scope for quickly expanding this level of take-up. There are over half a million people who already access the internet today who are not using broadband.

It is imperative that this segment of internet users are convinced and incentivised to switch over. It is for this reason that my Department along ComReg will be hosting an event in the Autumn aimed at raising awareness of broadband and some of its practical applications," he concluded.

Because of the crap postal system (regulated by who again?) IrelandOffline's invites to all these ComReg events keep getting lost. Guess we'll turn up anyway.

damien

http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9682727.html

In a not-so-veiled reference to Tuesday evening's breakdown of negotiations between telecommunications operators and incumbent Eircom, Minister Dempsey made a side-swipe at BT which withdrew from the talks.

"In the context of recent events I repeat: nothing is ever accomplished from walking away from discussions. All parties should resume their discussions immediately with the goal of achieving full local loop unbundling," he said. Dempsey bemoaned the lack of progress and demanded that full agreement should be reached within a four week period.

Sponge Bob

ENN

Minister Dempsey also reiterated that broadband penetration was not just about regulation, but depends on comsumer demand. "We must stimulate that demand by clearly communicating the benefits to everyone," he said. With this in mind, the Minister announced that his department and ComReg would hold an event later this year aimed at "incentivising" dial-up internet users to upgrade to broadband.

What is he on about , sure Comreg don't even believe in Functional Internet Access . How has Comreg incentivised anything for the Consumer .....as in ever ?????

Where did he make this speech ? Fairyhouse ??? He should have abolished Comreg instead and announced that their job is going to the Competition Authority instead.

damien

Dempsey is on the Last Word at 1800 this evening talking about this.

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