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30/10/2008
Broadband Delay Controversy
There's to be a delay in the provision of universal broadband access across Ireland.
It has been revealed that plans for the broadband scheme have taken "slightly longer than we would have liked", according to the Irish Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan.
He now hopes the scheme would be delivered by mid-2010, "which is the rough timeline set out".
However, the news has been slammed in other quarters with the Fine Gael Communications Spokesman Simon Coveney insisting that the project to deliver universal broadband would in fact be delayed by at least a year to the end of 2010 rather than the original 2009 deadline.
Mr Ryan "has been in charge for 18 months" and "people have simply lost patience" with him because of his action, Mr Coveney said.
The scheme aims to deliver broadband to areas where the market has failed to provide services.
A contract is expected to be signed in November with one of two bidders - Eircom Ltd and Hutchison 3G Ireland.
"Subject to agreement with the chosen service provider, roll-out of services is expected to begin shortly after the contract is signed. The chosen service provider will be required to complete the roll-out of services within 22 months of the contract award," the Minister said.
Mr Coveney also questioned the Government's overall commitment to broadband, when there was a 25% budget cut from €53 million this year to €40 million in 2009.
He said if there was a 22-month roll-out for universal broadband, the deadline would be delayed a year to the end of 2010, and there was "significant frustration" about the whole issue.
(BMcC)
It has been revealed that plans for the broadband scheme have taken "slightly longer than we would have liked", according to the Irish Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan.
He now hopes the scheme would be delivered by mid-2010, "which is the rough timeline set out".
However, the news has been slammed in other quarters with the Fine Gael Communications Spokesman Simon Coveney insisting that the project to deliver universal broadband would in fact be delayed by at least a year to the end of 2010 rather than the original 2009 deadline.
Mr Ryan "has been in charge for 18 months" and "people have simply lost patience" with him because of his action, Mr Coveney said.
The scheme aims to deliver broadband to areas where the market has failed to provide services.
A contract is expected to be signed in November with one of two bidders - Eircom Ltd and Hutchison 3G Ireland.
"Subject to agreement with the chosen service provider, roll-out of services is expected to begin shortly after the contract is signed. The chosen service provider will be required to complete the roll-out of services within 22 months of the contract award," the Minister said.
Mr Coveney also questioned the Government's overall commitment to broadband, when there was a 25% budget cut from €53 million this year to €40 million in 2009.
He said if there was a 22-month roll-out for universal broadband, the deadline would be delayed a year to the end of 2010, and there was "significant frustration" about the whole issue.
(BMcC)
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