Published on 

Ministers Naughten and Kyne highlight Consumer Benefits delivered by the Government’s Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Group has published its 2018 (Quarter 2) Progress Report which is highlighting the benefits to domestic and business customers that have been delivered by the Taskforce.

Ministers Denis Naughten and Sean Kyne and their officials in the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment (DCCAE) and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), are driving the implementation of the actions identified by the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The Group is tasked by Government to develop practical solutions for broadband and mobile phone users experiencing blackspots in coverage and other telecommunications problems, particularly in rural areas.

Since 2017 the Implementation Group of the Taskforce has made significant strides in addressing problems in telecommunications services for customers. To date the Group has delivered:

  • more streamlined planning processes and a reduction in associated planning permission costs for commercial operators deploying telecommunications infrastructure;
  • the development and introduction of an online system for planning applications standardising a more efficient application process for operators with quicker turnaround timelines;
  • the appointment of Broadband Officers in each of the 31 local authorities to act as contact points for both telco operators - to assist in navigating the planning process - and members of the public - to help them identify telecommunications operators that are providing mobile and broadband coverage in their areas.
  • new information published by the Commission for Communications Regulations (ComReg) on mobile phone handset sensitivity, enabling consumers to make more informed choices in considering what is the right handset for them;
  • a new exemption license scheme to permit the use of mobile phone repeaters so that people experiencing mobile phone reception issues inside their homes, particularly in rural areas, will now be able to purchase, and have installed, a repeater device to improve service;
  • ongoing and significant duct building programme of works by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), along Ireland’s motorways as well as, repair and upgrading work for the deployment of fibre underground. These ducts will provide the infrastructural ‘spine’ for the nationwide roll-out of high-speed broadband.

Telco operators have worked hand in hand with the Taskforce since it was established in July 2016, introducing enhancements, such as WiFi calling. They are also actively working closely with the Taskforce to help identify poor coverage areas and to help eliminate such blackspots.

Minister of State Rural Affairs and Natural Resources​Sean Kyne said:

Your commitment and willingness to work together is a real strength of this Taskforce. There has been very tangible progress made already this year. Initiatives such as the introduction of a mobile phone repeater regime by ComReg and the identification of coverage blackspots through the mapping project co-ordinated by Local Broadband Officers have the potential to have a transformative effect on those struggling to receive good mobile phone coverage in rural Ireland. These are just a few examples of where the Taskforce is making a significant and important difference to people’s experience of mobile phone and broadband services

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten said:

Your combined achievements to date demonstrate the continuing positive engagement among all stakeholders which is very much appreciated and deserves full recognition.

He urged the group to work through his Department and that of Minister Kyne, to

…ensure continued focus in order to implement the 2018 Work Programme to completion to the benefit of consumers and also the sector, especially in rural areas.

The Minister added

The five-year mobile data traffic forecast report recently published by ComReg, predicting substantial increase in demand for mobile data in Ireland up to 2022, is informing all the work of the Taskforce in expediting improvements across the telco sector. In particular, it will facilitate operators in the improvement of their network planning and it will also help the stakeholders to keep pace with consumer demand for services. The evidence-based approach used by the Taskforce is paying dividends in helping us adopt a very targeted approach so as to best serve consumers across Ireland.

Minister of State Kyne and Minister Naughten confirmed that the Group will put a renewed focus over the coming months on highlighting the specific benefits, which the Taskforce has achieved, to people in their local communities, particularly in rural areas.

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce 2018 Q2 Progress Report is available here.