A Forfas report on broadband has found that Ireland is currently facing a broadband deficit of up to 360,000 connections. It also found that the country has slipped further behind both average and leading countries in the rollout of broadband.
The Broadband Telecommunications Benchmarking report assessed Ireland's competitiveness in relation to 21 countries with a special focus on the broadband telecommunications requirements of the enterprise sector.
The report attributes Ireland's slippage to a lack of growth in competing technologies - especially cable - and a lack of competition and innovation within the DSL market.
The report recommends the development of inter-platform competition. It says the Communications Department should work with the Local Authorities and the Department of Environment and Local Government to reduce the high charges involved in rolling out infrastructure by cable and telecoms operators.
It also urges the updating of the Wireless Telegraphy Act as a matter of urgency.
The Forfas report urges ComReg to continue putting pressure on Eircom to reduce local loop unbundling charges further so that other companies can access local exchanges and provide innovative services.
It also encourages the development and use of state networks.
