Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
306. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture; Communications and Sport to provide an update on the decommissioning of the legacy copper telephone and broadband networks; whether a timeline is in place; his Department's plans to ensure the general public are informed and prepared for the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68965/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress made to date by his Department in relation to the decommissioning of the copper broadband network, taking into account that the European Commission has set 2030 as the preferred deadline date for the complete switch-off of copper networks across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68966/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.
The Government’s Digital Connectivity Strategy (DCS) aims to have all Irish households and businesses covered by a gigabit network by 2028.
The main copper network is owned by Eir (a private entity) and as such the ongoing operation and maintenance of this network is a matter for them. The process by which eir can retire this network is laid out in ComReg Decision D09/23, “Framework for the Migration from Legacy Infrastructure to Modern Infrastructure.”
The starting point of the transition process is by way of a proposal by Eircom (‘Eircom’s Switch-off Proposal’) providing ComReg with information on how Eircom plans to migrate from its legacy network to modern infrastructure. When ComReg is satisfied that Eircom’s Switch-off Proposal fulfils the Framework conditions set out in this Decision, ComReg will approve it at which point Eircom’s Switch-off Proposal becomes Eircom’s Switch-off Plan (the ‘Switch-off Plan’). The Framework for the transition from Legacy Infrastructure to Modern Infrastructure, consists of three phases: An Enablement Phase; A Migration and Switch-off Phase; and A Decommission Phase.
To date no plan has been approved by Comreg.
It should be noted that the timing of the switch-off is ultimately a commercial matter for Eir subject to it complying with the provisions of ComReg’s decision. However, the Department continues to engage with both ComReg, through a bilateral working group on Copper Switch Off, and Eir to keep apprised of any developments in this area.
