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Ireland’s Broadband Performance and Policy Actions

Ireland’s Broadband Performance and Policy Actions. January 2010. Contents. Current Broadband Performance - Broadband penetration (fixed and mobile) - Cost and speed of available services for business and residential customers - Next generation networks Market Developments

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Ireland’s Broadband Performance and Policy Actions

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  1. Ireland’s Broadband Performance and Policy Actions January 2010

  2. Contents • Current Broadband Performance - Broadband penetration (fixed and mobile) - Cost and speed of available services for business and residential customers - Next generation networks • Market Developments – Core and Access Networks • Policy Recommendations

  3. 1. Strong Growth in Broadband Take-Up…but we are not yet converging on leading countries Broadband Subscribers per 100 inhabitants, 2002-2009 Source: OECD, Broadband Statistics

  4. While mobile subscriptions are high in Ireland, overall penetration rate remains average Fixed and Mobile Broadband Penetration per 100 Inhabitants, July 2009 Source: OECD Broadband Statistics (fixed) and European Commission (mobile)

  5. Geography Does Not Help Roll-Out of Advanced Services Broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants and Urban Population, June 2009 Source: OECD, Broadband Statistics; World Bank, World Development Indicators

  6. Download speeds in Ireland remain below the fastest speeds in other OECD countries Fixed Broadband Lines by Speed, July 2009 Source: European Commission Working Document: Broadband access in the EU 1 July 2009.

  7. Business Products are Improving (speed/costs) - but the most widely available service still offers relatively slow speeds Fastest DSL Connection offered by the incumbent and Annual € Cost Source: Teligen, September 2009

  8. Ireland compares poorly with leading countries in terms of the fastest speed available to residential customers Fastest Residential DSL/Cable Connection and Annual Cost Source: Teligen, September 2009

  9. Ireland remains behind leading regions in upgrading the local access network to fibre Fibre Connections as a Percentage of Total Broadband Connections, June 2009 Source: OECD, Broadband Statistics

  10. Ireland lags competitors as an increasing number of countries develop the capability to support next generation telecoms services Readiness to Support Next Generation Broadband Services, 2009 CISCO/Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, September 2009

  11. 2. Market Developments • International connectivity is strong • Major improvements in the ‘core’ network • Investment by telecommunications operators strong • State-driven developments have played a strong role – ESB, BGE, CIE, Local Authorities - Metropolitan Area Networks, etc. • Investment in Upgrading Access Networks Disappointing (from the national/ regional network to the customer premises) • Eircom – some trials but no investment plan • UPC investing significantly – potential speeds of 120 Mb/s in areas where it is active • Recent launch of WiMax service in key cities (offering 8Mb) • Trials of advanced mobile services (Long-Term Evolution) likely in next two years

  12. 3. Immediate Policy Requirements • Greater investment in telecommunications infrastructure is essential if Ireland is to converge towards leading OECD countries in terms of high quality services The report outlines action to: • 3.1 Facilitate the Necessary Investment by Private Telecommunications Operators • 3.2 Utilise Existing State Investments and Regulations

  13. 3.1 We Need to Facilitate Private Investment in Risky Network Upgrades • Ensure an appropriate return on investment to incentivise investment in Next Generation Networks • Examine the potential for infrastructure sharing while maintaining competition in the market • Make spectrum available for wireless options – switching off analogue TV is key – update the 1926 Wireless Act • Ensure wholesale access to a range of advanced products • Reduce the cost of network rollout – minimise costs and onerous planning rules, and fragmentation across local authorities

  14. 3.2 Role of State Investment and Regulation • Progress the ‘one-stop-shop’ and the mandatory provision of ducting in building regulations • Progress on local loop unbundling – competition spurs investment in fibre • Mainstream the Provision of Access Infrastructure into Existing State Investment Plans • Water distribution networks and metering, Smart Electricity Metering, Sewers, Roads, etc. • Can Local Authorities play a more proactive role in developing open access infrastructure? • Extend MANs in Cork and Waterford • Potential to build additional MANs in 5 towns • Demand for Broadband • Progress on eGovernment, eHealth, ICT in Schools etc.

  15. Conclusions • Ireland needs to be among the leaders in Europe in the provision of advanced telecommunications infrastructure, access and services by 2012 • Broadband speeds available are currently higher in other countries and take-up of fibre is growing rapidly • Investments being made currently are necessary but are not sufficient to achieve a leadership position • Competitiveness threat for Irish firms as significantly faster speeds become widespread in other countries? • Role for State Provision of Access Infrastructure? • Some countries have developed more active programmes to roll out next generation networks

  16. Thank You To view the full report see http://www.forfas.ie/publications/2010/title,5376,en.php

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