New Connections - Department of Taoiseach

2. Summary of progressSince March 2002, there has been considerable progress under the different policy strands and these areset out in detail in the report. In summary, fourteen projects have been completed, eighty-three are ontarget, fifty-seven are slowed for the reasons outlined and four are new developments. No informationwas submitted on two projects.2.1 Telecommunications InfrastructureThe Telecommunications Regulation Commission was established in December 2002 with the specificmandate from Government to support national priorities.2.1.1 19 Towns ProjectThe Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has commenced the procurementprocess for the metropolitan networks for the ‘19 towns project’ as the initial phase of the strategy. Theproject is at ‘tender evaluation’ stage and the engagement of Managed Services Entities to manage thenew infrastructures is underway.2.1.2 Forfás reviewThe Forfás review of developments under the NDP is underway and the final report is awaited.2.1.3 Issues arisingBroadband remains the top Information Society priority. The high cost of narrowband access tobusiness and the very limited availability and high price of Digital Subscriber Line/cable modernbroadband services continue to attract attention and comment. However, arising from an interim reportfrom Forfás in November 2002, there has been agreement that the Telecoms Infrastructure Forum (TIF)of IBEC and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will explore the scopefor greater exploitation of existing infrastructures.2.2 Legal & Regulatory In general, the legislative and regulatory agenda set out in New Connections isprogressing satisfactorily. For instance, a key enabler is the recently passed CommunicationsRegulation Act 2002 which gave additional powers to the new Commission for CommunicationsRegulation (Comreg). The Department of the Taoiseach will continue to monitor the implementation ofthe Information Society Action Plan and work with Departments to facilitate the unblocking of anylegislative bottlenecks impacting on the Information Society.2.2.1 Issues arisingReports on legal issues concerning the Information Society were recently produced by the InformationSociety Commission and Forfás. The ISPU is currently having these reports considered by the relevantagencies to determine key legal issues moving forward. The Unit will continue to monitor emerginglegislation that could affect the development of the Information Society.2.3 e-Government2.3.1 Public Services BrokerReachservices.ie is a facility for registration for online services and for online forms and has been inplace since April 2002. Work is ongoing by the Reach agency on the procurement process for thePublic Services Broker using a negotiated tendering procedure while the Basis and Oasis sites provideintegrated information to businesses and citizens on Public Services.2.3.2 Other projectsThe e-Cabinet project at the Department of the Taoiseach has been given Government approval toproceed and it is expected that it will be deployed during 2003. The Revenue Online Service project iscontinuing to achieve success with a number of projects being completed ahead of schedule. Other3