7 More Questions for a Mythical Minister

To proceed in any meaningful way regarding proposals for widespread use of ICT among Seniors, it is obvious that the whole business of infrastructure has to move forward.
Before attempting to formulate a proposal, re Seniors and ICT, for a Minister, yet to be appointed, I have a number of comments and questions for his/her consideration.


Ø Have you recognised that the extension of broadband on a purely commercial basis is piecemeal and wasteful of resources, unless each project is licensed or approved as part of an overall plan? This is probably a function of ComReg!

Ø Although the question of Local Loop Unbundling seems to have been resolved between Eircom and ComReg there is still a conflict regarding backhaul (Main Line Telecommunications) systems to support the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).

Ø Note also that MAN Press Releases which list a number of towns, about to be ducted and cabled with fibre, are misleading to the general public who assume immediate access to broadband. Such Press Releases should further state that it is a wholesale system requiring ISPs on one side and backhaul on the other.

Ø Read about Metropolitan Area Networks here

Ø Are there any guidelines for the construction industry to ensure that suitable cabling and/or ducting is provided in new housing developments to link in with the nearest MAN outlet. Such a system exists in industrial park developments such as IDA; similar systems in the domestic arena could make operation from the MAN a more attractive proposition for ISPs.