FG mutters something

bealtine

Ireland in broadband last place

UK announces expansion of next-generation broadband, Ireland remains in ‘digital dark age’

This morning (Wednesday) at 9am, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan will address the IPv6 Conference on broadband and the future of the internet.

Fine Gael Communications Spokesman, Simon Coveney TD, has said that this is the perfect opportunity for the Minister to explain exactly why, according to the OECD, Ireland has the worst broadband in Europe and why he won’t adopt Fine Gael proposals that would put Ireland in the top five of OECD countries when it comes to broadband.

“The Minister’s record on providing broadband is pathetic.

“Figures from the OECD show that we are 29th out of 30 advanced OECD economies for broadband speed. Since the Minister took over the Department, Ireland is actually going backward as we were ranked 26th out of 30 in September 2006 (see notes at end).

“Last Thursday’s announcement from British Telecom further highlights our dire record on broadband. BT is expanding the roll-out of next generation broadband in the UK. Despite recent deals with UPS, Ireland continues to fall behind other countries. We are in the ‘digital dark age’ in comparison.

“Minister Ryan has the opportunity today at the IPv6 Conference to address Ireland’s serious broadband deficit. As the Minister knows well, having high speed broadband is a key part of building any ‘smart economy’. However, the Minister has overseen the stagnation of Irish broadband speeds as Ireland moved from 26th in the OCED in 2008 to 29th today. Other small European countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands and the Slovak Republic have seen their broadband speeds double or even triple in the same time.

“The fact is that Ireland will not be able to compete with other countries if our broadband speeds remain a relic of the 20th century. I once again urge Minister Ryan to engage with Fine Gael and adopt our plan that was set out in our NewERA strategy.

“Fine Gael remains the only party in Ireland to have drafted a credible plan to put Ireland into the top five of OCED countries when it comes to broadband speed. Our NewERA plan will restructure State owned communications infrastructure and supply new finance to invest in the widespread roll out of fibre optic broadband.”

Ends
Note: OECD figures can be found at links below:
www.finegael.org/upload/OECD%20Broadand%20Speed%20by%20County%20Sept%2008(1).xls
www.finegael.org/upload/OECD%20Broadband%20Speeds%20Oct%202009(1).xls

Tom Young

Yes, this is a mess.

Govt might consider using the Functional Separation remedy here which is in the New Framework package.