Communications
End to astronomical bills in EU roaming regulations
July 1st, 2010Dublin, 1st July 2010
The latest phase of the EU Roaming Regulations will benefit mobile phone users travelling abroad this summer. Introduced in 2007 and updated in 2009, the EU Regulations make mobile phone use more affordable for citizens travelling within the EU.
The elements of the Regulation which come into effect today include:
• An obligation on [...]
Ireland moves up Digital Economy Ranks
June 29th, 2010The Economist Intelligence Unit report that places Ireland 17th of 70 countries in the digital economy rankings is welcome. Ireland has moved up one place since last year, swapping positions with Germany. Previously entitled the “e-readiness rankings”, the 2010 Digital Economy Ranking from examines the ability of the world’s largest economies to use information and communications technology [...]
Comments: none€1.5 billion investment brings broadband to 1.5 million people
June 17th, 2010Shanghai 17th June 2010
For the first three months of this year, total internet subscriptions stood at 1,615,032 with broadband subscriptions at 1,509,934. This represents an increase of 19% on the same period in 2009.
“When I entered Government, around 600,000 people in Ireland had internet access – now, we have grown to a point where well [...]
Expert Consultant on Free-to-Air to be appointed
June 14th, 2010Dublin, 14th June 2010
An independent consultant to examine the designation of certain sporting and cultural events as free-to-air on terrestrial television will be appointed.
Under the terms of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the Broadcasting Act 2009, a public consultation on the listing of certain events to make them available on free television, is ongoing [...]
Continuing reduction in EU-wide roaming charges welcome
June 11th, 2010Dublin, 11th June 2010
The publication by ComReg of information showing how Irish consumers continue to benefit from reductions in mobile roaming prices, including reduced prices to make and receive calls, and to send texts while travelling in the EU is welcome.
“I am pleased to see that Irish mobile operators are clearly achieving a high level [...]
Revolutionary high-speed telecoms network
April 23rd, 2010€5 million investment by Government in Irish technology, 80 jobs to be directly created in Phase I
Dublin, 22nd April 2010
A partnership with Intune Networks to establish the first exemplar communications test bed was recently announced. The Exemplar Test Bed will utilise the technology invented in Ireland by two graduate students from UCD and developed by [...]
Broadband – More Good News
February 9th, 2010Dublin 9 February 2010
ComReg made a decision on the pricing of eircom’s full Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) wholesale product. This latest regulatory decision is a significant development and, along with clear Government policy on competition and open access, is facilitating Ireland’s evolution to Next Generation Networks.
The decision on LLU pricing sets a LLU rental charge [...]
Boost for Irish Language Broadcasting
February 1st, 2010Irish and UK Governments sign Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Television
London, 1st February 2010
The Irish and UK Governments agreed a Memorandum of Understanding which provides a framework for continuing co-operation on broadcasting issues on the island of Ireland.
The Memorandum, which is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to digital switchover and the switch-off of analogue [...]
Mobile Phone Scams
November 28th, 2009I’ve been getting an increasing number of calls from concerned individuals about mobile phone scams in relation to the download of ringtones, games, phone “wallpapers” and other services. I think we’ve all heard stories of people who have inadvertently subscribed to a text message or phone service that either wipes out phone credit, or results [...]
Comments: noneNew EU Telecoms Package
November 25th, 2009Dublin, 25th November 2009
The approval of the EU’s telecoms package by the European Council and Parliament is a progressive step which puts the interests of the consumer to the fore.
The main provisions of the package include:
* Measures to improve competition between telecoms operators and to ensure consistent implementation of rules across all Member States
* New [...]
Broadband improvements
July 23rd, 2009In July this year, we published our Next Generation Networks policy paper, which sets out the action I’m taking to further improve Ireland’s broadband, in terms of infrastructure, availability and speeds. The National Broadband Scheme is well underway, and is bringing broadband to up to a quarter of a million premises nationwide. We are making [...]
Comments: noneBroadcasting Act
July 1st, 2009I recently published the Broadcasting Act 2009. This is the most comprehensive broadcasting legislation in almost 50 years in Ireland. It looks at the whole regulatory system in relation to the industry, but also introduces some very practical measures that directly affect the audience. It changes at the television licensing system, to ensure that court [...]
Comments: noneSchools’ Broadband
June 28th, 2009It’s my aim that every school in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband services.
In June this year, I began the roll out of very high speed (100 mbps) broadband to the first group of second level schools in Ireland and installation works are beginning. 78 schools, in each of the counties, will receive very [...]
The Broadcasting Bill
May 28th, 2009The Broadcasting Bill, which will modernise and change the face of Irish broadcasting, is expected to be published before the summer.
As part of the Bill, which will amend the Broadcasting Act, a number of changes will be made. Firstly, a new Broadcasting Authority will be established – the Authority will assume the role of both [...]
National Framework for use of Ireland’s Airwaves
May 28th, 2009In March last, I published a framework for the management of the radio frequency spectrum in Ireland. Essentially, radio frequency spectrum refers to the “airwaves” used by broadcast, media and telecommunications services. It is a valuable resource and it needs to be used correctly.
As we make the move from analogue to digital television, more of [...]