From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Telecommunications in the Republic of Ireland, including postal services run by An Post, are regulated to a large extent by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources has overall responsibility for national policy and regulation. All of Ireland's communications infrastructure is now digital but progress in broadband technology has been stagnant since 2006.

In Telecommunications, the deregulated market has ensured that other licenced operators now account for a 32% share of the market. ^[1]

Broadband is now available in Ireland via DSL, Cable, Wireless and Satellite.^[2] As of November 2007, according to ComReg the Irish Communications Regulator DSL is available to c. 88% of homes and businesses, however this figure is disputed my many pressure groups in Ireland as it only reflects the number of telephone lines connected to a broadband enabled exchange, not whether those lines are of a high enough quality to receive a DSL connection. Overall takeup of broadband (cable, dsl, wireless etc.) is 15.4% as of July '07 ^[3] and there are 698,000 broadband subscriptions as of September ’07 ^[4] The average monthly subscription cost is $40.41, 20% cheaper than the average of $49 for the 35 OECD countries surveyed. ^[5]

In 2008 the Minister for Communications Eammon Ryan has announced new planned investment in broadband infrastructure, which may see every household in Ireland capable of receiving broadband speeds of 100mb by 2012. .5% of lines connected to broadband-enabled exchanges cannot avail of DSL, due to distance and other issues. ^[6]

There are four mobile telecommunications providers - 3 Ireland, O2 Ireland, Meteor and Vodafone Ireland.

See also

• Broadband Internet access in Ireland
• List of Ireland-related topics

References

1. ^ Comreg Quarterly Key Data Report. Page 11. Fig 2.1.3
2. ^ Irish Government Broadband Information
3. ^ OECD broadband penetration and population densities
4. ^ Comreg Quarterly Key Data Report. Page 24. Fig 3.3.1
5. ^ OECD roadband average monthly subscription price, Oct. 2007, USD PPP
6. ^ Sunday Business Post

External links

• Commission for Communications Regulation
• Irish Communications Market: Quarterly Key Data - September 2005 — Comreg report