ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT

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3 Commission for Communications Regulation ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2016 JUNE 30, 2017 Presented to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in accordance with Section 32 of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002

4 2 Figure 1: ComReg Vision, Role and Mission 1 VISION Consumers and businesses in Ireland have affordable, high-quality, and widespread access to communications services and applications that support their social and economical needs. ROLE ComReg s role is to ensure that communications markets operate in the interests of end-users and society. MISSION Through effective and relevant regulation, we facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence. 1 ComReg Document 17/31

5 CONTENTS Commissioners 5 Leadership Team 5 About ComReg 6 Organisational Structure 8 Communications Overview 10 Chairperson s Review 14 Consumers 16 Competition 24 Radio Spectrum Management 28 Numbering 35 Postal Regulation 38 Corporate Services Division 41 International Affairs 45 Financial Statements 48

6 4 Figure 1: ComReg Vision, Role and Mission 2 Figure 2: ComReg Strategic Framework 7 Figure 3: ComReg Strategic Intents 9 Figure 4: Narrowband Indirect Access Paths 11 Figure 5: Mobile Subscriptions 11 Figure 6: Market Share Number of Subscriptions (inc. mobile broadband and M2M) 12 Figure 7: Profile of Active Broadband Subscriptions by Type 12 Figure 8: Broadband Subscriptions and Growth 12 Figure 9: European household broadband penetration comparison, Figure 10: Television Homes by Reception Method 13 Figure 11: Central Statistics Office Consumer Price Index 13 Figure 12: Consumer Journey 16 Figure 13: ComReg Engagement staff attending the Over 50s show in the RDS, Dublin 17 Figure 14: Regulation to Drive Competition 24 Figure 15: Results of the 3.6 GHz Band Spectrum Award 29 Figure 16: Spectrum Stand 31 Figure 17: 31 Figure 18: Main Factors affecting mobile user experience 32 Figure 19: Area Code Map 36 Figure 20: Consumer Homepage 44

7 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report COMMISSIONERS Gerry Fahy Chairperson Jeremy Godfrey Commissioner Kevin O Brien Commissioner LEADERSHIP TEAM Caroline Dee-Brown General Counsel Barbara Delaney Director, Retail and Consumer Services Division John Evans Senior Advisor Economics, Policy and Research Joe Heavey Director Corporate Services Division Donal Leavy Director Wholesale Division George Merrigan Director Market Framework Division

8 6 ABOUT COMREG ComReg is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of electronic communications (telecommunications, radio communications and broadcasting networks), postal and premium rate services. ComReg is the national regulatory authority for these sectors, in accordance with EU and Irish Law. In addition, we manage the radio frequency spectrum and the national numbering resource, among other responsibilities.

9 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Figure 2: ComReg Strategic Framework 2 COMREG STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK Vision Mission Role PRINCIPLES Setting the rules for effective competition Protecting and informing consumers Creating the conditions for investment THE TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL Ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations Effective stakeholder engagement A deep understanding of markets including related markets Robust data analytics including service quality and availability HOW WE SUPPORT OUR ROLE Maintaining an agile, skilled and motivated organisation Integrity Impartiality Effectiveness Excellence Transparency OUR VALUES 2 ComReg Document 17/31

10 8 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) was established on 1 December 2002 by the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and is led by a Commission of up to three Commissioners. At the end of this reporting period the Commission had three Commissioners: Gerry Fahy (Chairperson), Jeremy Godfrey, and Kevin O Brien. The Commission, with the Leadership Team, is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the organisation. ComReg depends on the efforts of all of our staff (including lawyers, economists, engineers, accountants, business analysts and administrative specialists) to deliver on our mission and meet our regulatory objectives. ComReg consists of four Divisions, supported by a General Counsel and a Senior Advisor - Economics, Policy & Research. The structure is based on crossfunctional teams operating in a multi-disciplinary environment. Functions ComReg is responsible for promoting competition, protecting consumers and for encouraging innovation. We deal in complex issues of law, economics, accounting, regulation and technology. Our objectives are set out in line with both primary and secondary legislation, and this legislative framework continues to evolve since the Communications (Regulation) Act of In 2007, ComReg s responsibilities and powers, as well as available enforcement measures, were augmented by the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act In particular, ComReg was granted Competition Act powers in relation to electronic communications and services.

11 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report The Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services & Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Act 2010 transferred responsibility for the regulation of premium rate services to ComReg and ComReg commenced regulation of this area in July The Postal Act 2011 sets out ComReg s regulatory responsibilities in relation to postal matters. Figure 3: ComReg Strategic Intents 3 STRATEGIC INTENTS Under the Communications Regulation Acts 2002 to 2017, ComReg has a range of functions and objectives in relation to the provision of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services and post. 01 COMPETITION The market delivers innovation and the greatest possible choice of wholesale and retail operators These include: Ensuring compliance by operators with obligations Promoting competition Contributing to the development of the internal market Promoting the interests of users within the European Community Ensuring the efficient management and use of the radio frequency spectrum and numbers from the national numbering scheme Promoting the development of the postal sector and, in particular, the availability of a universal service Protecting the interests of end users of premium rate services This Annual Report covers our key activities from 1 July 2016 to 30 June CONSUMER PROTECTION Consumers can choose and use communications services with confidence INVESTMENT Efficient investment has enabled affordable, high quality and widespread access to communications services and applications ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE Regulated entities comply with regulatory obligations ORGANISATION We are an effective and relevant regulator 3 ComReg Document 17/31

12 10 COMMUNICATIONS OVERVIEW Figures in this section were taken from quarterly reports published between Q and Q Number of operators Under the authorisation process, operators notify ComReg of their intention to provide networks or services to third parties. By June 2017, 631 such notifications were registered of which 620 were fixed/ wireless broadcasting and 11 were mobile. Fixed Line market share Based on operator data submitted via the Quarterly Report questionnaire, Other Authorised Operators (OAOs) accounted for 51.9% of the total fixed line market in terms of overall (retail and wholesale) revenue by June 2017, up from 50.8% in June Eircom Ltd. accounted for the remaining share of the market. Fixed CPS, WLR and WLA Indirect access to fixed line networks for call services can be provided through Carrier Pre-Selection (CPS), where the call services are provided by an operator using the incumbent operator s network, with the customer paying line rental to the incumbent. Through Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) an operator can provide single billing to the consumer for both their fixed line rental and fixed call usage. White Label Access-Voice Access (WLA-(Voice)) is a switchless voice service which allows an operator to purchase end-to-end call services without the need to have its own interconnection infrastructure. By the end of June 2017, WLR accounted for 54.4% of all lines provided via indirect access, (down from 64.0% at the end of June 2016), WLA accounted for 43.2% (up from 33.0% in June 2016) and CPS accounted for 2.4% of lines (down from 3.0% in June 2016). In total there were 577,154 indirect access paths at the end of Q2 2017, down by 1.8% since June 2016.

13 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Figure 4: Narrowband Indirect Access Paths Figure 5: Mobile Subscriptions 600,000 Carrier Pre-Select, Wholesale Line Rental and White Label Access Paths 565, , , , , , , , ,154 Mobile Subscriptions Q Q2 17 5,891,737 5,900,909 6,000,000 5,732,469 5,758,951 5,765,765 5,880,330 5,881,609 5,763,977 5,736,259 Access Paths 550, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,081 5,500,000 5,000,000 4,500,000 4,875,125 4,814,217 4,821,454 4,802,191 4,847,786 4,823,284 4,871,594 4,792,280 4,834, , ,000 50,000 0 Q2'15 Q3'15 Q4'15 Q1'16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q ,789 20,159 18,898 18,106 CPS SB-WLR WLA Source: Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire Fixed telecom access paths and fixed voice traffic There were 1.43 million direct and indirect Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Switched Digital Networks (ISDN) access paths in the Irish market as of June 2017, a decline of 3.9% since June Indirect access using WLR or CPS accounts for 40.4% of all access paths in the fixed copper market. Voice traffic originating on fixed networks continued to decline. In Q2 2017, the average residential subscriber originated 107 minutes of fixed voice calls compared to 126 minutes in Q Mobile communications services At the end of June 2017 there were over 5.9 million subscriptions to mobile communications services in Ireland, which equates to a penetration rate of 125.2%. In Q total M2M subscriptions stood at 606,683 increasing to 746,803 in Q representing a 23.1% annual growth. 17,476 16,439 15,436 14,467 13,580 4,000,000 Q2'15 Q3'15 Q4'15 Q1'16 Q2'16 Q3'16 Q4'16 Q1'17 Q2'17 Subscriptions excluding mobile broadband and M2M Subcriptions including mobile broadband and M2M Source: Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire Note: Two new mobile operators were included from Q Due partly to the increasing use by consumers of instant messaging services, the volume of text messaging decreased by 13.8% in Q compared to Q In the three months to June 2017, the average Irish mobile subscriber sent an average of 84 messages per month, compared with an average of 99 per month in the quarter to June Average monthly voice call minutes per mobile subscriber in Ireland decreased from 219 minutes per month in June 2016 to 214 minutes per month in June Average monthly traffic per mobile subscriber using voice and data services was 4.1GB in June 2017 compared to 2.4GB in June In Q mobile Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for prepaid mobile phone subscribers was per month while mobile ARPU for post-paid mobile phone subscribers was per month. Mobile ARPU for prepaid mobile broadband subscribers was per month while mobile ARPU for post-paid mobile broadband subscribers was per month. There were 398,219 mobile numbers ported between operators in the twelve months to June 2017, which equates to, on average, 33,184 mobile numbers ported every month. Vodafone retains the largest share of subscriptions (including mobile broadband and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) subscriptions) and comparing Q to Q2

14 , Vodafone slightly increased market share from 37.8% to 38.2%. At the end of Q2 2017, Three Group had 34.6% of subscribers falling from 35.5% in Q Eircom Ltd s (trading as eir) mobile market share decreased by 0.4% since Q Tesco Mobile s market share increased by 0.3% while other operators market shares increased by 0.6% since Q Figure 7: Profile of Active Broadband Subscriptions by Type DSL, Cable, Mobile and Other Broadband Subscriptions 100% 90% 20.8% 21.8% 20.29% 19.81% 18.18% 80% 2.5% 2.5% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 70% 21.8% 21.5% 21.5% 21.5% 21.9% 60% 50% 25.4% 27.2% 40% 29.2% 30.7% 32.2% 30% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.7% 1.1% Figure 6: Market Share Number of Subscriptions (inc. mobile broadband and M2M Market Share by Subscription (inc. MBB and M2M) Q2'16 - Q2'17 20% 10% 0% Q Q Q Q Q DSL FTTP 28.8% 27.0% 25.5% 24.2% 23.5% VDSL Satellite Cable FWA Mobile Broadband 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 2.3% 2.7% 2.6% 2.6% 2.9% 6.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.3% 35.5% 35.3% 35.3% 35.3% 34.6% 18.4% 18.1% 18.2% 18.1% 18.0% 37.8% 37.8% 37.7% 37.8% 38.2% Source: Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire In addition to broadband subscriptions, there are an estimated 1,148 WiFi hotspots in Ireland providing nomadic broadband access nationwide, particularly to laptop and smartphone users. This figure decreased by 61.4% comparing Q to Q % Q Q Q Q Q OAOs Tesco Mobile Three Group Source: Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire Broadband Eir Group Mobile Vodafone By the end of June 2017, there were 1,685,369 broadband subscriptions. VDSL account for the bulk of these subscriptions at 542,141, followed by 396,601 DSL subscriptions, 369,478 cable subscriptions, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband accounts for 46,611 subscriptions, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) at 19,125 and Satellite at 5,093. The number of mobile broadband subscriptions was 306,320 at the end of June In Q2 2017, VDSL broadband subscriptions accounted for 32.2%, DSL 23.5%, cable broadband 21.9% FWA 2.8%, FTTP 1.1% and satellite 0.3% of all broadband subscriptions. Mobile broadband accounted for 18.2% of all broadband subscriptions. Since Q2 2016, the number of VDSL subscriptions have increased by 26.8%, in contrast to a fall in DSL, satellite and mobile broadband subscriptions. Figure 8: Broadband Subscriptions and Growth Subscription Type DSL Broadband VDSL Broadband Cable Broadband FTTP Broadband Satellite Broadband FWA Broadband Total Fixed Broadband Mobile Broadband Total Broadband Q Quarterly Growth Q1 17 Q2 17 Year-on- Year Growth Q2 16 Q , % -18.2% 542, % 26.8% 369, % +0.8% 19, % 294% 5, % -4.8% 46, % 11.3% 1,379, % 3.6% 306, % -12.5% 1,685, % +0.3% 4 In Q Eir retired their WiFi service

15 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Figure 9 illustrates Ireland s position compared to the EU28 average in terms of fixed and mobile broadband household penetration. Ireland (86%) was above the EU28 average (83%) for household broadband (fixed and mobile) penetration in Figure 9: European household broadband penetration comparison, 2016 Household Broadband Penetration Rates, EU-28 and Ireland 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 42% 31% EU-28 Ireland 48% 43% 56% 54% 61% 58% Source: Eurostat, Information Society Indicators, CSO Broadcasting 67% 72% 65% 65% By July 2017, of 1.59 million TV households in Ireland, 61% had a subscription cable or satellite service, 42% had an aerial service, 41% had Irish DTT service and 20% had a free to air satellite service. 76% 67% 80% 78% 83% 80% 86% 83% Price developments In overall terms, figure 11 shows the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the communications sub-component. The CSO weights communications as 3.48% of the total CPI. Using December 2011 as the base period, total CPI decreased by 0.4% in the year to June 2017 while communications costs increased by 0.8% Figure 11: Central Statistics Office Consumer Price Index Consumer Price Index and Communications Sub-component, December 2011 = M M07 All Items 2015M M M M11 Communications Source: General Statistics Office 2015M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M06 Figure 10: Television Homes by Reception Method TV Homes by Reception Method, January January % 70% 70.0% 70.0% 70.0% 69.0% 69.0% 68.0% 67.0% 63.0% 61.0% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 39.0% 41.0% 39.0% 41.0% 14.0% 14.0% 41.0% 43.0% 43.0% 43.0% 42.0% 41.0% 39.0% 41.0% 43.0% 43.0% 42.0% 41.0% 40.0% 38.0% 20.0% 15.0% 19.0% 13.0% 14.0% 15.0% 14.0% 10% 0% 10.0% 10.0% 11.0% 9.0% 9.0% 9.0% 11.0% 10.0% 10.0% 3.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 3.0% 0.0% 1.0% 1.0% 5.0% May-14 Sep-14 Jan-15 May-15 Sep-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul -17 Aerial Cable/Satellite (exc. other satellite) UK Freeview DTT Other satellite IPTV Irish DTT Source: Nielsen TV Audience Measurement Establishment Survey on Behalf of TAM Ireland Ltd.

16 14 CHAIRPERSON S REVIEW In that regard, ComReg is conscious that for some people a lack of good broadband and mobile coverage is a fundamental issue. That s why ComReg is an active participant of the Government s Broadband and Mobile Taskforce. Established in July 2016, the Taskforce aims to identify immediate solutions to broadband & mobile phone coverage deficits and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. ComReg has committed to a number of key actions to improve the overall consumer experience in relation of broadband and mobile coverage. During the year ComReg also issued its Electronic Communications Strategy Statement for The Strategy Statement sets out our vision for the sector where consumers and businesses enjoy affordable, high-quality and accessible communications services. During the year under review, the sector regulated by ComReg continued to grow and develop as communications networks and operators maintained strong levels of investment. A vibrant and thriving electronic communications sector is an essential requirement for businesses and consumers, alike. Now more than ever, people are becoming more dependent on communications systems and networks for work, education or social reasons. Indeed, the pace of change in the sector is continuing to accelerate as new innovations such as the Internet of Things become more widespread. As an economic regulator, ComReg s role is to ensure that communications markets operate in the interest of end-users and society. Connectivity has become central to all our lives and it is a key driver of economic productivity and social inclusion. Broadband Market Developments During the year need for broadband increased overall demand for data rose. By the end of Q2 2017, there were 1.68 million broadband subscriptions. VDSL (Very Fast Digital Subscriber Lines) accounts for the bulk of these subscriptions at 542k followed by 397k DSL subscriptions, 369k cable subscriptions, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband accounts for 47k subscriptions, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) at 19k and Satellite at 5k. The number of mobile broadband subscriptions was 306k at the end of Q Fixed Market Compliance Issues During the period ComReg conducted a review of Eircom Ltd. s (eir s) Regulatory Governance Model. Phase 2 of the review commenced in September 2016 and was completed in March ComReg received draft reports from its Advisors with a view to considering the content and publication. Separately, ComReg has been addressing ongoing problems with Eircom Ltd. s compliance with its regulatory obligations.

17 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report It has initiated court proceedings against Eircom Ltd. in respect of five findings of breaches of its regulatory obligations over a period from July 2011 to July A number of other investigations were also ongoing, including investigations which are concerned with matters addressed in the Advisors reports. Mobile Market developments At the end of this reporting period, there were over 5.9 million subscriptions to mobile communications services in Ireland, which equates to a penetration rate of 125.2%. Due to the uptake of instant messaging services, the volume of text messaging decreased by 13.8% year-on-year. In Q total M2M subscriptions stood at 606,683 increasing to 746,803 in Q representing a 23.1% annual growth. In May 2017, ComReg announced the results of its 3.6 GHz spectrum award. Conducted by auction, this award saw the assignment of 350 MHz of Spectrum. The award increased the amount of harmonised spectrum for mobile, nomadic and fixed wireless broadband services by 86% and represents a good outcome for consumers and service providers. The auctions will raise 78 million over the duration of the licences awarded. Consumer ComReg is statutorily obliged to protect and inform Irish consumers when they are buying electronic communications products or services. It s imperative that all consumers rights are upheld by their service providers and, if they are not, ComReg will take action where it is necessary. All consumers should have access to clear and adequate information that enables informed choice. This is a key strategic goal for ComReg. During the period there were approximately 30,000 issues raised by consumers who contacted us. These issues are evenly split between Electronic Communications Service (ECS) issues, Premium Rate Service (PRS) issues and all other issue types. 19% of all issues raised with ComReg in the period were complaints. The majority of ECS issues raised in respect of ComReg s remit are in relation to Billing, Disputed Charges (including data), Contractual Matters such as Contract Termination Request and a varied number of Contractual subcategories, and Service Issues. Postal In relation to postal regulation, ComReg s statutory functions are to ensure the provision of a universal postal service that meets the reasonable needs of postal service users and to monitor and ensure compliance by postal service providers with the obligations imposed on them. During the year ComReg made a direction to An Post as Universal Service Provider under the 2017 Accounting Direction. This provides ComReg with the information necessary ensure transparency on the costing and profitability of the universal service provider. During the period the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Act 2017 repealed Section 30 of the 2011 Postal Services Act. The prices of universal postal services are now set by An Post. International ComReg is an active member of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and during the period under review ComReg participated in nine BEREC working groups. ComReg is also a member of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group and European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, CEPT. Gerry Fahy Chairperson

18 16 CONSUMERS ComReg s overall strategic approach to consumers is to protect and inform consumers so that they can choose and use communications services with confidence. During the period, ComReg carried out a number of actions to deliver its associated consumer goals. Figure 12: Consumer Journey THE CONSUMER JOURNEY Understanding Information Contact Switching Billing Complaints

19 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Informing and Protecting Consumers ComReg seeks to empower consumers by ensuring the availability of appropriate and transparent information while also offering an effective complaints handling process. ComReg seeks to understand evolving consumer needs by liaising with various stakeholders using a variety of mechanisms such as our Consumer Line; our Consumer Engagement programme (including on-line presence); the ComReg Consumer Advisory Panel; the ComReg Workshop on Electronic Communications for People with Disabilities; by carrying out relevant surveys and by gaining inputs from consumer organisations with which we liaise closely. Consumers are informed through timely, relevant, clear and accessible information. ComReg recognises the need for consumers to be appropriately informed in order to make choices in respect of electronic communications and to assist them in their dealings with their service provider, even more so as competition intensifies. In this respect, ComReg has continued to update its consumer section of with relevant information and news on choosing and using communications services. ComReg also works with industry to ensure that relevant, accurate information is available to consumers in relation to current market offers, to assist them with their purchasing decisions. On this aspect, ComReg engaged a third party provider to develop a new value comparison tool The new tool offers increased functionality to consumers including the facility to compare communications service providers market offerings by average monthly cost, total cost including handset costs, allowances and speed, based on the information entered by consumers. There are many additional features including: the ability to select a preferred handset type when comparing available packages, the ability to upload your bill to input your usage or to download an application on your Android phone that calculates your usage, or choose predetermined usage levels for ease of use. To assist consumers that have questions regarding PRS charges which have been applied to their bill or deducted from their credit, ComReg also offers an online facility to check the customer care details and other details for all premium rate services Consumers can input the name or the number of the service they have been charged for and the details are returned with details of the customer service helpline number and . Consumer Engagement Programme ComReg continued to expand its consumer engagement reach during the period with a number of targeted campaigns to inform consumers of their rights and the information ComReg makes available. Such initiatives include updating the new ComReg website with new consumer material and functionality, outreach to senior citizens, trade show presence and a Facebook campaign in relation to informing consumers of the code of practice for complaint handling. In addition, the distribution of ComReg consumer guides continued throughout the year ensuring leaflets were available in a network of GP surgeries, health centres and hospitals nationwide. Figure 13: ComReg Engagement staff attending the Over 50s show in the RDS, Dublin.

20 18 Protection of Vulnerable Users During the period under review, ComReg held two meetings of its Disability Workshop on Electronic Communications for People with Disabilities. The composition of attendees at each Workshop event is compiled to ensure that those in attendance (including service providers and bodies representing people with disabilities) can contribute both experience and best practice and ensure that attendees have knowledge and responsibility in respect of the topic in focus. In Q4 2016, ComReg s Workshop theme was Accessible information and the focus was on accessible websites. In Q the main Workshop topic was The facility for disabled subscribers to register requirements and accessible directory enquiries and accessible top up facilities were also discussed. Following on from ComReg s Decision on Text Relay Services 5, which became effective in Q A new enhanced Text Relay Service was implemented. Every service provider with more than 100,000 telephone subscribers must now offer an enhanced Text Relay Service (TRS). The service is a technologyneutral service available for use with the following devices: Minicom, fixed-line, mobile, personal computer, tablet, or other equivalent electronic device. Ensuring Consumers are treated fairly by ECS and Premium Rate Services (PRS) providers ComReg understands the importance of having effective redress mechanisms in place as one way to instil confidence in consumers. With this in mind, ComReg has continued its work to improve complaint handling by service providers. Complaints Handling Code of Practice ComReg consulted and decided on a set of minimum requirements for Service Providers Codes of Practice for complaint handling with measures to be effective from 1 January This decision will ensure greater transparency, certainty and quality in service providers complaints handling procedures and will result in improved redress for consumers that have complaints. Consumer Contacts to ComReg ComReg continues to provide a quality complaints handling service to consumers. Consumers may contact ComReg s Consumer Line through the following channels telephone, , online complaints form, letter and web chat. In addition, consumers have the option to send an SMS 7 (text) with the words ComReg or AskComReg to to receive a call back or SMS text back from one of our agents. A call back service is also available to those callers who are holding on the phone for more than 20 seconds. During the year, 80.1% of all calls to ComReg s Consumer Line were answered within 20 seconds. In 2017, ComReg also launched a service for consumers who wish to contact our Consumer Line using Irish Sign Language. ComReg continues to publish quarterly statistics in respect of issues raised by consumers who contacted our Consumer Line. During the period July 2016 to June 2017 there were approximately 30,000 issues about which consumers contacted us. These issues are split between Electronic Communications Service (ECS) issues, Premium Rate Service (PRS) issues and all other issue types. 5 ComReg Document 15/143 D09/ ComReg Document 17/62 D04/ Short Messaging Service

21 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Approximately 14,000 of the total issues raised were in relation to electronic communications issues, with approximately a further 14,000 relating to premium rate service issues. 19% of all issues raised with ComReg in the period were complaints. The majority of ECS issues raised in respect of ComReg s remit are in relation to Billing, Disputed Charges (including data), Contractual Matters such as Contract Termination Request and a varied number of Contractual subcategories, and Service Issues (of which 50% are Loss of Service and Mobile Coverage). The majority of PRS issues raised relate to situations where consumers deny that they have engaged with the PRS or where the consumer disputes the PRS charge in question. Unfair Contract Terms Regulations 10 and the Consumer Information and Cancellation Regulations 11. ComReg has a co-operation agreement with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). ComReg Compliance Cases and Findings In July 2016, ComReg imposed a penalty of 255,000 on Virgin Media in the form of Fixed Payment Notices, pursuant to Section 85 of the Consumer Protection Act This came on foot of an investigation by ComReg which found that between November 2015 and April 2016 Virgin Media had failed to provide 26,046 of its customers with a contract on a durable medium, contrary to Regulation 12 of the Consumer (Information and Cancellation) Regulations ,441 of the total issues were raised by business consumers and were mainly related to service issues (including loss of service and mobile coverage) billing (including disputed charges), contractual matters and switching and number portability. Compliance and Enforcement ComReg recognises it is important to ensure that a culture of compliance is engendered so that consumers rights are upheld by their service provider. Effective compliance and enforcement is important in achieving this. In respect of consumer rights, ComReg monitors compliance by PRS and ECS providers with relevant obligations including the PRS Code of Practice, the Universal Service Regulations 8 and associated ComReg Decisions, The Roaming Regulations 9, The On 6 October 2016, ComReg issued a Notification of Non-Compliance to Three. ComReg found that, in relation to a number of Contract Change Notifications, Three had failed to comply with Regulation 14 (4) of the Universal Service Regulations and with ComReg Decision D13/12, and, in particular, Three failed to advise customers of their right to exit their contracts without penalty, within one month, pursuant to changes thereto, and a failure by Three to provide full information on the contract changes. Subsequently, Three stated to ComReg that it had remedied the non-compliance and had put processes in place to ensure that its Contract Change Notifications would be compliant thereafter. ComReg formed an Opinion of Non-Compliance but having taken account of the remedial measures taken decided not to take further action in respect of the matter. 8 European Communities ( Electronic Communications Networks and Services) Universal Service and User Rights Regulations S.I. 228/2013 Communications ( Mobile Telephone Roaming) Regulations 2013 REGULATION (EU) No 531/2012 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 June 2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union. S. I. No 240/2017 Communications (Mobile Telephone Roaming) Regulations 2013 (Amendment) Regulations S.I. 27/1995 European Communities ( Unfair Terms) in Consumer Contracts), Regulations 1995 S.I 336/2014 European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations S.I. No. 160/ European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations S.I. No. 484/2013 European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013 S.I No. 250/2014 European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights)(Amendment) Regulations 2014

22 20 On 11 November 2016, ComReg issued a Notification of Non-Compliance to Virgin Media. ComReg found that, in relation to a number of Contract Change Notifications, Virgin Media failed to comply with Regulation 14 (4) and (5) of the Universal Service Regulations and with ComReg Decision D13/12 and, in particular, Virgin Media had inappropriately placed marketing material in the body of Contract Change Notifications. On 27 March 2017, ComReg issued a Notification of Non-Compliance to Three. ComReg found that that, in relation to Contract Change Notifications issued by Three preparatory to changes in pricing and other contractual terms, Three failed to comply with Regulation 14 of the Universal Service Regulations and with ComReg Decision D13/12. The noncompliance related, in particular, to the fact that Three had failed to properly advise its customers of the nature of the contract changes proposed and to adequately facilitate customers right to exit their contracts without penalty within one month of being notified of the proposed contractual changes. On 25 May 2017, ComReg issued Notifications of Non-Compliance to Vodafone, Eircom Ltd. and Sky Ireland. ComReg found that, in relation to a number of Contract Change Notifications, all three undertakings failed to comply with Regulation 14 (4) and (5) of the Universal Service Regulations and with ComReg Decision D13/12 and, in particular, all three undertakings had inappropriately placed marketing material in the body of Contract Change Notifications. Billing/Switching On 27 March 2017, ComReg issued a Notification of Non-Compliance to Three. ComReg found that that, in relation to conditions and procedures for contract termination put in place by Three in respect of the proposed contract changes, Three failed to comply with Regulations 25 (6) (b) of the Universal Service Regulations and, in particular, Three failed to ensure that its conditions and procedures for contract termination did not act as a disincentive to a consumer to change service provider. On 27 March 2017, the Dublin District Court heard a case taken by ComReg against Eircom Ltd. concerning transfer of the customer s telephone services to Eircom Ltd. in respect of three sites. ComReg alleged that Eircom Ltd. failed to deal with the matter correctly, resulting in the customer being without telephone service for three weeks, with one of the customer s sites being without service for eight weeks, and that customer telephone numbers at two sites were unnecessarily changed; all contrary to Regulation 25 of the Communications Regulations Act It was also alleged by ComReg that the customer received bills for two Eircom accounts at one site (double billing) contrary to Section 45 of the Act. The Court imposed criminal convictions for each of 7 charges and ordered Eircom Ltd. to pay a total of 16,500 in fines. Premium Rate Services enforcement ComReg investigated the AppMob PRS, provided by Zamano, in accordance with Section 9 of the Premium Rate Services Act and Sections 10 of the Communications Regulation Act. ComReg found that Zamano s AppMob PRS was not compliant with relevant provisions of the Code of Practice, including provisions relating to the information that must be provided to end users before they incur any charges, and that any end user who engaged with a particular promotion for Zamano s AppMob was entered into the PRS without their prior knowledge or consent. This was because the promotion failed to provide pricing information and any material details relating to the PRS, which would allow end users to make an informed transactional decision, consumers who responded to the promotion were misled into entering the service and subsequently incurred charges. Zamano was required to remedy the non-compliance in respect of the breaches of the Code and to refund affected end users.

23 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Roaming Regulation In accordance with its statutory function, ComReg continues its work in monitoring the implementation of the Roaming Regulation by Irish mobile companies. On 15 June 2017, new rules were introduced on using your mobile phone when travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA), which is the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. On 16 June 2017 ComReg published an Information Notice, (ComReg 17/55r) containing an outline of the new Rome Like At Home (RLAH) changes. 12 To further promote awareness and transparency for consumers while roaming, ComReg s website provides consumers with information about mobile roaming, a guide to mobile roaming and information on the implementation of RLAH. Customers are now charged the domestic retail price for using their mobile phone when travelling this is referred to as Roam Like At Home (RLAH). If a mobile customer has purchased bundled services (price plans that have specific call, text, and data allowances) any roaming usage is now deducted from that home bundle. If all of the bundle allowance is used up, then the Domestic Price charged is the normal price that they pay at home for out of bundle usage. Before June, roaming service providers were allowed to impose an additional charge above the domestic price (a surcharge) for retail roaming usage. With the introduction of RLAH, service providers cannot charge more than what would be levied if the customer was consuming those services in the home country i.e. the domestic price. However, there are exceptions. These include the ability to apply a fair usage policy for data, anti-abuse measures and sustainability provisions. In addition, there are transparency measures in place which will help roaming customers to manage their consumption and costs. Data For voice calls and texts, consumers can use the full allowances that they have at home. However, in some cases, service providers can apply a fair usage policy to data usage which limits the amount of data that you can use from your domestic bundle whilst roaming. These limits, if implemented by roaming service providers, are determined by the type of contract (post-pay or prepay) and the data allowance that you have. There is a formula for assessing if a fair usage policy (FUP) applies to your data allowance and this is available on the ComReg website. Each consumer should be aware of any data limits applicable when roaming as there are different scenarios which involve different calculations to determine the data limits. ComReg advises consumers to contact their operator directly for confirmation on what allowances and/or FUPs may apply in advance of travelling. Transparency Consumers who are roaming continue to get a personalised SMS Message upon entry into another EEA country. This message has details such as price (ex VAT) of making and receiving calls, sending an SMS, and any usage policy and charges in excess of limits and surcharges, free of charge phone number for more information and the number for emergency services. Consumers who are roaming receive an alert when the financial limit of 50 (ex VAT) has been reached. The financial or volume limit on data roaming consumption of 50 (ex VAT) is per monthly billing period. Consumers are then asked to confirm if they want to continue using data. In addition, consumers have the right to request and receive, free of charge, more detailed information from their roaming service provider from anywhere in the EEA. 12 ComReg Document 17/55r

24 22 Emergency Call Answering Service ComReg is statutorily responsible for monitoring the quality of service of the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) provider and for reviewing the Call Handling Fee (CHF) that the ECAS provider may charge. The service continues to perform to the quality specifications set by the Minister for Communications Climate Action and Environment in the original 2009 contract with the service provider. In January 2017, ComReg determined, following the review of the costs incurred by the ECAS provider to maintain the maximum CHF of 3.95 per call for the period 12 February 2017 to 11 February The consumer is not charged for calls to 999 or 112 as this cost is borne by the presenting telecommunications network. Universal service for Electronic Communications A central aspect of our work on consumer protection is to ensure availability of a universal electronic communications service. In July 2016, following a series of public consultations, Eircom Ltd. was designated as the Universal Service Provider (USP), in accordance with the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users Rights) Regulations 2011, to provide Access at a Fixed Location for five years until 30 June 2021 (D05/16). 13 USO Quality of Service In February 2017, ComReg specified annual quality of service performance targets in respect of the provision of certain elements of the universal service in D03/17. In setting these targets ComReg had regard to the following principles:- The targets should aim to balance the interests of end-users with promoting efficient investment. The targets should allow Eircom Ltd to have the flexibility to balance investment (in current and new networks) and repair expenditure as it considers appropriate to meet the targets. The cost and other implications for Eircom Ltd should be proportionate. ComReg introduced a new service availability target which combines the two previous metrics of fault occurrence and fault repair 14. In addition, ComReg introduced annual national and sub-national targets for both service availability and connections. These quality of service measures are effective from 2 February 2017 until 31 December Universal Service Quality of Service Compliance and Enforcement ComReg assessed Eircom Ltd USO compliance against targets specified in ComReg D02/08 from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016, in respect of timescales for connection, fault repairs and fault rate occurrence. Information Notices were published by ComReg showing Eircom Ltd. USO performance on a quarterly basis. Performance Data for Quarter and Annual 2016 were published on 12 June 2017, in ComReg 17/54. In April 2017, Eircom Ltd. paid ComReg 1,525,000 for its failure to meet the USO quality of service performance obligations arising under ComReg D02/08 for ComReg Decision D05/16, Eircom Ltd. appealed to the High Court and on 8 March 2017, the proceedings were struck out with no order as to costs. 14 ComReg has decided to state this target in terms of maximum of working days outage per line instead of as a percentage value

25 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Cost of the USO In May 2011, following a consultation process, ComReg issued a Decision ComReg Document D04/11 regarding the principles and methodologies for establishing the net cost of providing the universal service. This decision provided the basis upon which the net cost of providing the universal service is calculated and will enable ComReg to determine if the net cost, if any, constitutes an unfair burden on the universal service provider. ComReg is preparing to commence a process of consultation (in Q4 2017) on the assessment of Eircom Ltd. s applications for funding for the periods , , , ; ,and which were resubmitted by Eircom Ltd. between September 2014 and March ComReg Document D04/11

26 24 COMPETITION In the period of this report there were a number of important developments. Competition between providers of services increased and the market share of alternative operators continued to increase. ComReg made decisions relating to the pricing of a range of Eircom Ltd. s wholesale access products, mobile termination rates and the analysis of wholesale fixed call origination and transit markets. Figure 14: Regulation to Drive Competition REGULATING TO DRIVE COMPETITION Monitoring Markets Targeted Intervention Facilitating Competition

27 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Retail Trends Total retail revenues in the twelve months to June 2017 at billion were up from over billion over the previous 12 months. During the period, Eircom Ltd. s retail share of fixed line revenues declined by 1.1% over the year to 48.1% of the overall fixed line retail revenues. There were 1,685,369 broadband (fixed and mobile) subscriptions which was an increase of 0.3% compared to June Fixed broadband subscriptions grew to 1,379,049, an increase of 3.6% over the previous 12 months. Fixed broadband household penetration increased from 67.9% to 70.09%. According to Eurostat 16 data, Ireland s household fixed and mobile broadband penetration rate was 86% at the end of 2016 compared to an average EU household penetration rate of 83%. Eircom Ltd. s retail share of the fixed broadband market at the end of June 2016 was 32.2% in terms of subscriber numbers, a fall of 1.5 percentage points compared to one year earlier. Virgin Media s share had decreased from 27.4% to 26.7% in that period. Approximately 35.9% of fixed broadband subscriptions were supplied by other operators using Eircom Ltd. s wholesale bitstream, Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) and Virtual Unbundled Access (VUA) products. Next Generation Access and Broadband Virgin Media also continued to be a significant player in the market, advertising speeds in excess of 300Mbps downstream. According to public filings 17 Virgin Media s network addressed 822,700 homes and premises as at 30 June It had 366,100 broadband subscribers at that date amounting to 27.4% of the fixed broadband market. SIRO, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, has also been rolling out FTTP to households and businesses in a number of selected towns across the country. Average fixed broadband speeds continued to increase. In June 2017 approximately 80% of all fixed broadband subscriptions were equal to or greater than 10Mbps up from 75% in June While at the end of this review period 69.1% of all fixed broadband subscriptions were equal to or greater than 30Mbps, up from 60.1% in Q Total fixed retail broadband subscriptions increased from 1.33m in June 2016 to 1.39m in June Of these about 32.2% (down from 33.7% in Q2 2016) were provided by Eircom Retail; about 26.7% by Virgin Media, about 19.3% by Vodafone, about 12.2% by Sky and 9.6% by remaining operators. The retail broadband services provided by Vodafone, Sky and operators (other than Eircom Ltd. and Virgin Media) are enabled by such operators using wholesale products such as Bitstream and Virtual Unbundled Access (VUA) products. As of June 2017, approximately 1.7m premises were passed by Eircom NGA networks including FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) and FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) based technologies. In total, 551k subscribers were using these services. Of these 48.1% were supplied by Eircom Retail while 51.9% were supplied by other operators using Eircom Ltd. s wholesale NGA product set isoc_ci_ it_h isoc_ci_ it_h.

28 26 Market Analysis In Ireland the scope and nature of telecommunications regulation is determined by a process set out in European law known as a market analysis. As part of the process ComReg must first of all define what markets are potentially within the scope of regulation having had regard to a list of recommended markets published by the European Commission. Having defined the relevant market, ComReg must assess whether any company or companies is individually or jointly dominant within that market. If it is concluded that a dominant operator does exist it must impose at least one remedy to ameliorate the effect of this dominance based on a list set out in the legislation. For example, ComReg may require a dominant operator to open up its network to competitors at the wholesale level. In practice, most telecommunications regulation is targeted at the wholesale level; at the end of 30 June 2017 only one retail market (with three sub-segments) was subject to regulation - the market for retail access to the public telephone network at a fixed location (line rental). Following on earlier consultations, in July 2015 ComReg published its decision 18 with respect to its analysis of the wholesale fixed access and call origination (FACO) markets and the voice call transit market. Arising from this market review, Eircom Ltd. was designated as having Significant Market Power (SMP) in the FACO market and has had various obligations imposed upon it to, inter alia, provide Wholesale Line Rental and call origination services to other operators. ComReg also removed all regulation from the voice call transit market as these were identified as being competitive. ComReg also commenced its analysis of a number of other wholesale markets including the wholesale markets for: 1. High Quality Access (HQA): essentially wholesale high speed symmetric broadband services used as inputs in the provision of downstream/ retail broadband services to medium and large businesses, as well as being used by service providers to extend the boundaries of their networks. ComReg issued its consultation on wholesale HQA in August 2016, with the review ongoing. 2. Wholesale Local Access (WLA) and Wholesale Central Access (WCA): being two wholesale markets which are used as inputs in the provision of downstream/retail broadband and telephony services (among others). ComReg issued its consultation on WLA/WCA in November 2016, with the review ongoing. 3. Fixed Voice Call Termination (FVCT) and Mobile Voice Call Termination (MVCT): being two wholesale markets involving the completion of calls on the networks of called parties. Preparatory work on the FVCT and MVCT analyses is ongoing. ComReg has been heavily engaged in the gathering of information from service providers using its statutory information gathering powers. 18 ComReg Document 15/87 D05/15

29 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Fixed Market Compliance Issues During the period ComReg conducted a review of Eircom Ltd. s (eir s) Regulatory Governance Model. Phase 2 of the review commenced in September 2016 and was completed in March ComReg received draft reports from its Advisors with a view to considering the content and publication. Separately, ComReg has been addressing ongoing problems with Eircom Ltd. s compliance with its regulatory obligations. It has initiated court proceedings against Eircom Ltd in respect of five findings of breaches of its regulatory obligations over a period from July 2011 to July A number of other investigations were also ongoing, including investigations which are concerned with matters addressed in the Advisors reports. Compliance This section covers investigations into breaches of regulatory obligations by telecoms operators, incidents associated with misuse of Irish numbers and reports of significant network incidents. When dealing with regulatory obligation investigations the conclusion of the case may result in a formal opinion of non-compliance by an operator, an administrative payment by an operator, court proceedings or the closure of a case where no issue is identified or closure following remediation by an operator where ComReg considers further action is not warranted. During the period, ComReg s telecoms compliance activities included : Regulatory compliance: cases opened cases closed ongoing cases. Misuse of Irish numbers: Cases opened cases closed Network incident reports: incidents reported Associated with the regulatory compliance cases, ComReg carried out 23 active compliance investigations into the incumbent fixed line operator and 12 active compliance investigations into mobile operators.

30 28 RADIO SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT Radio spectrum is a medium by which information may be transmitted wirelessly over distances ranging from a few metres to thousands of kilometres. It is essential to the provision of mobile communications and wireless reception of broadcast services. Radio spectrum is also fundamental to the safe operation of air and maritime transport, the day-today operation of the Defence Forces and emergency services, as well as being vital to many important scientific applications. As a finite natural resource it needs to be prudently managed to ensure the efficient and effective use of the resource. During the year in review, several key spectrum management projects were commenced and or completed as detailed below. The award of the 3.6 GHz band The 3.6 GHz band is an important spectrum band of interest to both wireless internet service providers (WISPs) and mobile networks operators (MNOs). It has a variety of potential uses, which include addressing mobile capacity constraints and being a core band for providing and improving fixed wireless broadband services particularly in rural areas. Additionally, the band has been identified by Europe s Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) 19 as a candidate band for the introduction of new 5G services. 20 Having completed its consultation process on 24 August 2016, ComReg initiated the award process for the 3.6 GHz band with the publication of its Information Memorandum (ComReg Document 16/71). This Information Memorandum set out the processes, procedures and auction rules for the 19 The Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) is a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. It adopts opinions, position papers and reports, as well as issuing statements, which are aimed at assisting and advising the Commission at strategic level on radio spectrum policy issues, coordination of policy approaches and harmonised conditions, where appropriate, with regard to the availability and efficient use of radio spectrum necessary for the establishment and functioning of the internal market. 20 RSPG Opinion, Strategic roadmap towards 5G for Europe 9 November 2016,

31 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report MHz of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band in each of the nine regions of the State (five urban and four rural) for the period 2017 to On 22 May 2017, ComReg published the results of the award (ComReg Document 17/38) which resulted in the successful assignment of all 350 MHz of available spectrum in all regions of the State to five winning bidders. Imagine Communications Ireland Ltd the largest existing WISP which held over 80% of the previous licences in the band; Airspan Spectrum Holdings Ltd a new entrant to the Irish market; Vodafone Ireland Ltd an existing mobile network operator; The release of the 3.6 GHz band increased the amount of harmonised spectrum for mobile, nomadic and fixed wireless broadband services in Ireland by 86% and places Ireland at the vanguard of Europe, having released 350 MHz of the band in full accordance with the 3.6 GHz Band European Commission harmonisation decision. The full results of the award is shown in table 1. Over the lifetime of the licences, winning bidders will pay in excess of 78 million, comprising 60.5m in upfront fees and circa 17.7m in spectrum usage fees to be paid over the 15 year duration of the licences. Three Ireland Hutchison Ltd an existing mobile network operator; and Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd an existing mobile network operator. Figure 15: Results of the 3.6 GHz Band Spectrum Award 2122 Region Borders Midlands and West Airspan Spectrum Holdings Ltd Imagine Communications Ireland Ltd Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd Three Ireland (Hutchison) Ltd Vodafone Ireland Ltd 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz South West 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz East 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz South East 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz Dublin City and Suburbs Cork City and Suburbs Limerick City and Suburbs Galway City and Suburbs Waterford City and Suburbs 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz Final Upfront Fees 21 7,556,700 8,128,800 11,498,400 15,313,700 17,968,712 Total Spectrum Usage Fees 22 2,078,550 1,640,520 4,163,610 5,059,200 4,765,320 TOTAL 78,173, Final Upfront Fees is contingent on any licence fee refunds in respect of delayed commencement arising from Transition Activities as detailed in the Information Memorandum. 22 Spectrum Usage Fees will be indexed to CPI and paid annually over the duration of the Award. Figures presented in this table do not assume any adjustment and are presented as indicative.

32 30 Co-ordinated DTT spectrum plans in the UHF band below the 700 MHz band The radio spectrum MHz known as the 700 MHz band has long been used to provide Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services in Ireland and internationally. In 2012, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) decided that, in addition to being used to provide DTT services, the 700 MHz band may also be used to provide mobile services in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The ongoing provision of DTT services will be provided for below the 700 MHz band, in the MHz band. Since the ITU decision was taken, significant progress has been made in making the 700 MHz band available for technologies and services other than DTT at the European and national level. At the European level, technical harmonisation measures are now in place to allow the use of mobile technologies (e.g. LTE) in the 700 MHz band and a recent EU Decision requires EU Member States to allow the 700 MHz band to be used for purposes other than DTT by 30 June As radio frequencies are not bound by political borders, Ireland must coordinate its radio spectrum plans with neighbouring countries in order to facilitate the efficient use of radio spectrum in all countries with a particular focus on preventing or minimising any cross-border interference. In respect of the United Kingdom a plan for the continued provision of DTT services below the 700 MHz band was finalised on 24 March 2017 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Ofcom and ComReg. To facilitate the implementation of this plan ComReg 23 and Ofcom agreed a further MoU 24 to co-ordinate transition activities. The work to complete the migration of DTT from the 700 MHz band in both jurisdictions will continue until the migration has been completed. Spectrum in the frequency range MHz has favourable propagation characteristics i.e. it travels far and DTT networks utilise high masts with very high 23 ComReg Document 17/23a 24 ComReg Document 17/23b power. ComReg therefore negotiated a coordination agreement 25 with France on DTT services in the MHz band and the agreement was finalised and entered into on 28 April Although Ireland s DTT services do not directly impact on European countries other than our nearest neighbours the UK and France, it was also necessary for Ireland to participate in a wider multilateral regional planning group. This is because the spectrum plans of European countries other than the UK and France could affect Ireland indirectly in that those countries affect the spectrum plans of the UK and France. On 29 April 2016, a multilateral agreement to coordinate the DTT plans for the MHz band was signed by the relevant administrations of Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 26 The 700 MHz Cost Recovery Mechanism ComReg commissioned Frontier Economics Ltd. to carry out a cost benefit analysis (CBA) on the repurposing of the 700 MHz band. Published in June , the analysis found that a net benefit of 91m would result from repurposing the 700 MHz in Ireland. The report also acknowledged that repurposing the 700 MHz band would cause the incumbent DTT network operator, 2rn, to incur costs outside of its normal operating costs. Subsequently, in July 2015, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) requested the assistance of ComReg to develop a cost recovery mechanism (CRM) to be applied to future expenditure on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network. 25 ComReg Document 17/23c 26 ComReg Document 17/23d 27 ComReg documents 15/62, 15/62a and 15/62b.

33 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report ComReg engaged Frontier Economics to conduct a fully reasoned analysis and assessment of the efficiently incurred capital and operational costs which 2rn, and ultimately RTÉ, would be likely to incur as a result of DTT migrating from the 700 MHz band. The Frontier Economics report 28 was published in December 2016, and estimates that the incremental costs likely to be incurred by 2rn as a result of 700 MHz migration, could amount to 8.6 million. The report also formed the basis for estimating the compensation payable to RTÉ to cover such migration and recommended that such compensation be paid in three phases, as follows: i. Phase 1 early 2017: 60% to cover tendering and installation of equipment; ii. iii. Phase 2 late 2017: 30% to cover further tendering and installation of equipment (to be installed in Summer 2018); Phase : 10% to cover the final reconciliation between forecast and actual costs. ComReg will continue to work with DCCAE, 2rn and Frontier Economics to monitor costs and verify expenditure to ensure that the schedule of the compensation phases are met. Figure 16: Spectrum Stand Spectrum Leasing in the RSPP and 700 MHz bands In June 2017, ComReg began a public consultation (Consultation 17/47) on a framework for the ex-ante review of proposed spectrum leases in the EU Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) and 700 MHz 29 radio spectrum bands. In summary, Consultation 17/47 proposed to extend the existing procedures for reviewing notified spectrum transfers, established under S.I. No. 34 of 2014 in 2014, to encapsulate spectrum leases, and this would enable undertakings to obtain spectrum rights of use to radio spectrum in accordance with the spectrum leasing procedures as specified by ComReg. Test & Trial Ireland Ireland s geographic position on the western edge of Europe and its low population density provides a key natural advantage, namely, a relative abundance of unused spectrum. Test & Trial Ireland is a service which entrepreneurs, researchers and developers may use to test or trial wireless technologies in a wide variety of frequency bands, including parts of the mobile and broadcasting bands. During the year in review ComReg issued 19 Test & Trial licences. Further details are set out at Test & Trial Ireland Figure 17: 28 ComReg Document 16/114a 29 An EU Decision on the use of the MHz frequency band came into effect in June legal-content/en/txt/pdf/?uri=celex:32017d0899&from=en

34 32 Licensing Operations The possession and use of radio equipment in Ireland requires authorisation from ComReg. This authorisation may take the form of either a licence or a licence exemption. Licences may be issued in accordance with the following legislation: Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 ( as amended); Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, as amended (in the case of the RTÉ Authority); Radio and Television Act, 1988 (in the case of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland); or the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007 for Digital Broadcasting. As of 30 June 2017, the total number of live radio licences on our database was 18,561, up 2% on the previous period. The total number of new licences issued in this reporting period was 4,020, an increase of 20% on the previous year. A significant proportion of new licences issued (2,590) were in respect of fixed links. Mobile User Experience During the period there were some notable developments in the mobile consumer experience space. ComReg flagged this as an area of importance in its Radio Spectrum Management Statement (ComReg 16/50). The matter of mobile user experience can often give rise to confusion, accentuated by a relative dearth of research and reliable information. While there are five key factors (see figure 18) that ComReg has identified as potentially having a detrimental impact on a mobile user s experience, they are generally all debated or discussed under the single heading of coverage. Figure 18: Main Factors affecting mobile user experience The increased use of phones which have poor antenna performance. The integration of new services into existing mobile networks (e.g. 3G into 900 MHz, 4G services into 1800MHz) The use of better building insulation materials; particularly the use of foil backed construction materials. Changing consumer habits (e.g. increased use of data, greater reliance on smartphones) and expectations. The ability of the mobile phone operators to find suitable sites to obtain planning permission. ComReg is endeavouring to bring clarity to the debate by producing reliable facts and data and making this information readily available. This coincides with the findings and recommendations of the Government s Mobile and Broadband Taskforce report 30. During the period ComReg commenced work in the following areas: Mobile Handset Performance Testing; Building Materials Testing; Developing a Coverage Checker website; and, Developing a consultation on the use of mobile phone repeaters. It is intended that this work will help to inform and protect consumers. ComReg anticipates that it will commence publishing information on these matters in the coming reporting periods Pages/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce. aspx

35 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Spectrum Intelligence and Investigations ComReg s Spectrum Intelligence and Investigations unit is responsible for ensuring compliance with wireless telegraphy legislation and the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) 31 and Radio Equipment (RE) Directives in the State and enforcing same as required. During the period 193 consumer devices were detained and inspected by ComReg through the course of its market surveillance activities in relation to the EMC and RE 32 Directives and approximately 70% of those were found to be non-compliant 33. As part of its market surveillance activities ComReg enjoys and is grateful to have a productive relationship with the Customs and Excise Authorities to ensure non-compliant electronic equipment does not enter the State. Such prohibited devices have been found to cause harmful interference to a range of services including mobile phone networks and aeronautical services. In the period from July 2016 to June 2017 ComReg received 132 reports of harmful interference to radio services. This represents a 5% increase over the previous period. Almost half of all complaints received are reports of interference to mobile network operators. Interference involving fixed line services and non-radio devices also represent a significant proportion of the work in this area; such cases are often interlinked with the market surveillance activities under the EMC Directive. 31 The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU as transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 69 of 2017 European Communities (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Regulations The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU as transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 248 of 2017 European Communities (Radio Equipment) Regulations It is important to note that this is not representative of the rate of non-compliance of products on the market, rather it is a function of the targeted approach to market surveillance adopted by the organisation. All instances of interference reported to ComReg are given a priority based on the severity and impact of the interference. During the last year ComReg outsourced a portion of its lower priority interference investigations 34. This has allowed ComReg to concentrate its limited resources on matters of highest priority, being those with significant levels of interference and impact and in proactive activities such as market surveillance and radio monitoring. Programme of Measurement of Non-Ionising Radiation (NIR) ComReg requires, as a condition of wireless transmission licences, that operators of transmitting stations must ensure that their installations comply with the NIR emission limits specified in the latest guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). ComReg carries out annual audits of compliance by operators with licence conditions which includes the ICNIRP emission limits. Each annual audit involves surveying a sample number of sites and transmitter types (broadcast, mobile telephony, wireless broadband etc.) countrywide. Results of all the site surveys conducted during this reporting period were summarised and published in four quarterly reports which are available on Copies of the individual site survey reports were made available on the ComReg website as well as via ComReg is pleased to report that at all of the sites surveyed during this reporting period, measurements of NIR emissions were found to be significantly below the ICNIRP guideline limits. 34 Note that the procedure for making an interference complaint has not changed; instances of interference should be reported directly to ComReg. 35 Site viewer is an on-line facility provided by ComReg, which allows the public to view details of GSM, 3G and LTE mobile telephony base stations throughout Ireland.

36 34 Mobile Network Operator Licence Compliance Drive Testing During the review period ComReg published two summary reports of its national drive tests. In addition, ComReg has for the first time made the raw data that underlies the drive tests available for download on its website The drive test regime is designed to assess compliance with the coverage obligations set down in the 3G and Liberalised Use Licences. The route taken covers in excess of 5,000km taking in all primary and secondary roads in the State; this is the most rigorous schedule undertaken by any National Regulatory Authority (NRA) in the EU. The results found that all mobile network operators are in compliance with their licence conditions.

37 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report NUMBERING Management of the National Numbering Resources Telephone numbers are a national resource that are essential for communications services. Telephone numbers ensure effective routing of national and international communications services, and support the correct functioning of billing and settlement regimes for those services. They can provide information to the caller on the type of service called, the price of the call and the location of the called party. They also support supplementary services such as Calling Line Identification (CLI). As a fundamental competitive enabler for communications services, it is essential that sufficient numbers are available for both existing and future services. It is vital that ComReg continues to manage the national numbering resource in a manner that promotes competition and supports innovative communications services, but also protects and informs consumers. ComReg manages the national numbering resource in accordance with European and International Recommendations and subject to specific National and European legislation. ComReg s management of the national numbering resource includes setting conditions (i.e. rules) for operators use of numbers and defining who is eligible to hold numbers. The conditions and eligibility criteria are largely designed to protect consumers and to provide operators with equal access to Irish numbering resources in order to promote competition. The conditions are updated as required to take account of new product/service developments, legislative changes and any other requirements.

38 36 Machines that need to access public telephone networks also need numbers. Key areas currently benefiting from Machine-to-Machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity include automotive, ehealth services, smart metering/smart grids, smart homes, smart cities, industry/automation and agriculture. Analysys Mason forecasts there will be 719 million connected cars worldwide by The introduction of ecall automated emergency calling in all newly manufactured cars intended for sale in the EU from April 2018 is also a specific requirement. ComReg must facilitate demands for new numbers in line with its statutory objectives. Figure 19: Area Code Map 37 The usual remedy when approaching number exhaustion is to introduce a number change to expand capacity. However, as numbers are now embedded into so many systems and devices, a number change can take several years and can be costly and disruptive. Number conservation will therefore be of paramount importance in the future. Conserving existing number ranges is fundamentally important to effective numbering plan management. In 2015, ComReg engaged consultants to recommend measures for conserving existing Geographic and Mobile numbers 38. The consultants developed two reports 39 which set out various measures for conserving numbers and assessed their likely impact. The reports identified inefficiencies in some operators business processes and systems that lead to significant number wastage. Major number conservation measures are now underway, with the full support of the Irish telecoms industry. ComReg will continue to monitor operators use of numbers to ensure that the conservation measures are being properly implemented. Review of Mobile Numbering Resources The M2M sector and Over-the-Top (OTT) voice and messaging services are experiencing rapid growth globally. Only a small proportion of OTT services will require new mobile numbers, as many leverage the customer s existing number or use proprietary addressing for on-net calls. Number Conservation Measures The Communications Regulation Acts requires ComReg to take all reasonable measures to ensure the efficient use and effective management of Irish numbering resources. Number exhaustion is a constant concern for national regulators. Given the forecasted growth of M2M connections, ComReg is currently conducting an in-depth review of numbering for both M2M and mobile OTT services to assess the potential impacts of these services on the Irish numbering resource. 36 Analysys Mason report: Connected Cars: Worldwide Trends and Forecasts 2013 to ComReg Document 16/ ComReg Documents 16/20a and 16/20b publications

39 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report The global nature of the M2M market means that some M2M services will likely use Irish numbering resources on an extraterritorial basis. ComReg s review will consider the broader technical, commercial and regulatory issues raised in an environment where Irish numbering resources will be used outside Ireland. As part of its review, ComReg has held discussions with Irish and international mobile operators as well as specialist M2M service providers. A benchmarking exercise will assess the experience in addressing M2M demands in other countries. The review is expected to recommend the optimum solution for Ireland, and the implementation requirements of any recommended solutions. ComReg plans to publish a consultation document on this review by the end of Review of Non-Geographic Numbers ComReg is currently reviewing the functioning of five different types of Non Geographic Numbers (1800, 1850, 1890, 0818 and 076) in Ireland. Although these Non-Geographic Numbers (NGNs) provide a useful platform for the delivery of a wide variety of services, ComReg has concerns about their use. The purpose of the review is to gather and analyse information to allow ComReg to consider whether its concerns can be substantiated. The review takes into account the requirement to ensure that these numbers are used in a manner which promotes competition and protects consumers. Numbering Forum ComReg s Numbering Forum provides a platform for the discussion of commercial, operational, regulatory and technical issues related to numbering. It consists of representatives of the electronic communications industry and ComReg. At an operational level, ComReg works directly with individual operators to ensure new numbers are promptly opened up on networks and to resolve issues such as misdialling. International Co-ordination ComReg tracks and participates in European and international working groups on numbering issues. This is important as changes to the European and/ or international numbering landscape can have implications for national numbering resources and network operations in Ireland. ComReg is also required to ensure that relevant EU legislation on numbering harmonisation is implemented. At an operational level, ComReg works with its colleagues in other national regulatory authorities and with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to ensure that new Irish and foreign telephone numbers become operational promptly on all national and international networks. ComReg will shortly commence a full public consultation on NGNs. The consultation will set out preliminary options to improve the functioning of the NGN platform in Ireland. ComReg will consider all inputs to the consultation before deciding on the next steps.

40 38 POSTAL REGULATION ComReg s statutory functions are to ensure the provision of a universal postal service that meets the reasonable needs of postal service users and to monitor and ensure compliance by postal service providers with the obligations imposed on them. ComReg s statutory objectives are to: promote the development of the postal sector and, in particular, the availability of a universal postal service within, to and from the State at an affordable price for the benefit of all users; promote the interests of postal service users; facilitate the development of competition and innovation in the market for postal service provision. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011 designated An Post as the Universal postal Service Provider (USP) until 2023, with the option for ComReg to consider a review in Specific functions of ComReg include monitoring compliance of the USP with directions issued by ComReg. During the review period, ComReg addressed the following areas: Universal postal service accounting obligation ComReg made a direction to the USP pursuant to section 31 of the 2011 Act (2017 Accounting Direction). The 2017 Accounting Direction replaces the 2006 Accounting Direction, established under the older statutory framework. For the most part, the existing requirements under the 2006 Accounting Direction continue under the 2017 Accounting Direction. The new requirements are few in number, minimal in their effect, and proportionate having regard to their purpose.

41 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report The purpose of the 2017 Accounting Direction is to set out the USP s accounting obligations in respect of the universal postal service and to ensure transparency on the costing and profitability of the universal postal service, set out in the Regulatory Accounts. This provides ComReg with the information necessary for it to discharge its statutory functions. The accounting obligations also enable ComReg to monitor the USP s compliance with various other obligations, including the tariff and terminal dues requirements. Quality of Service The availability of an efficient, high-quality postal service is a key objective for a modern competitive economy such as Ireland. One of the fundamental objectives of the European Postal Directives is to secure improvements in quality of service for universal postal service and ComReg is obliged by law to set a quality of service target for the USP for its provision of universal postal service. ComReg has directed the USP to achieve a next-day delivery standard of 94% for single piece priority mail delivered within the State. ComReg monitors An Post s performance against that 94% standard, in accordance with Comité Européen de Normalisation/ the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and international measurement standards, and ComReg publishes annual performance reports on its website. ComReg first introduced independent monitoring of the quality of the universal postal service in 2003 and at that time just 71% of single piece priority mail was being delivered on the next working day. In the intervening years, the rate of next day delivery has improved by 20 percentage points, a rate of improvement of 28%, since the introduction of regulatory monitoring. The annual performance report for the calendar year 2016 included the following key findings: An Post delivered 91% of single piece priority mail on the next working day following the day of posting, which is the same result as for 2015 and is 3% short of the 94% standard; An Post delivered 99.1% of single piece priority mail within three working days following the day of posting, which is also the same result as for 2015 and is just slightly below the 99.5% standard, demonstrating that An Post s postal network can capably deliver the vast majority of single piece mail within three working days; In the 11-month period January to November 2016, An Post delivered 92% of single piece priority mail on the next working day though next-day delivery performance fell to 77% in December 2016, a notable deterioration; and An Post delivered 88% of postal packets (currently the growth area in postal services) on the next working day, which is 6% below the 94% standard. Independent postal service user dispute resolution procedures Section 43(3) of the 2011 Act gives ComReg, or an appointee of ComReg, a discretionary power to resolve postal service users disputes which remain unresolved after due completion of all the procedures of a postal service provider s code of practice. During the year, ComReg made a number of dispute resolutions.

42 40 Repeal by the State of the price cap control on universal postal service Section 30 of the 2011 Act empowered ComReg to limit the amount by which An Post could increase the prices of any of its universal postal services, in a given year. ComReg established such a price cap in June 2014 and it was to remain in effect for five years, until June This ensured, among other things, that the prices of universal postal services remained affordable by allowing modest price increases, reflective of incentivising An Post to become more cost-efficient given An Post s forecasts of mail volume declines. The price cap considerably reduced An Post s losses on the provision of those universal postal services subject to the price cap. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Act 2017 repealed section 30 of the 2011 Act and ComReg s five-year price cap. The prices of universal postal services are now set exclusively by An Post. Following the repeal of the price cap, An Post increased the prices of its mail services, with the price of a domestic stamped letter increasing by 39%.

43 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION Governance It is the objective of the Commission to ensure compliance, at all times, with best practice in Corporate Governance. This financial period commenced on 1 July 2016 i.e. before the effective date of 1 September 2016 of the new 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Hence we have continued to apply the 2009 version of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in relation to the 2017 Financial Statements. It is ComReg s policy to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and it has reported on its compliance with relevant sections of the Code either in this Annual Report or separately by way of a letter to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. ComReg has a comprehensive audit programme in place, overseen by its Audit Committee which met five times during the year. The committee s external members as of 30 June 2016 were: Aisling Kennedy 40, Martin Higgins and Patricia Byron. The internal audit function is outsourced. An independent trustee of the pension scheme is also in situ, in accordance with best industry practice. As a public body operating in a difficult environment, an ongoing challenge is to continue to add value while working within resource constraints. We continuously review and amend policies and procedures in relation to expenditure, procurement and risk management. ComReg is accountable to the Oireachtas through Oireachtas Committees (see Communications and Engagement). The ongoing implementation of the procurement plan aims to achieve value for money, to provide a quality service to the public and arrange procurement in a compliant manner. 40 Marie Collins has since replaced Aisling Kennedy

44 42 During the current year we have arranged competitive tendering in respect of equipment and outsourced services. We have followed European Procurement Directives for larger contracts including publishing tenders in respect of Multi-Supplier panels for Barrister Services and Regulatory Governance Professional Services. We have used the Office of Government Procurement Framework Agreements where feasible. We aim to pay all valid invoices within 15 days and we publish on our web-site the number and value of payments made quarterly. We continue to improve work processing cycle times, aided by the co-operation of all staff and the new technological initiatives developed internally to improve processing. In the year to 30 June % of payments has been made within the requisite time period. The Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires Freedom of Information (FOI) bodies such as ComReg to publish a disclosure log, which contains details of the types of requests received under FOI since January 2015 and the decisions made by the body in response to those requests. We publish this information on our website. ComReg received 8 FOI requests from July to December 2016 and 22 FOI requests from January to June We had one Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) request in March 2017, zero formal Data Protection requests and zero Protected Disclosures. Human Resources We continue to recognise that our people are key to our ability to deliver ComReg s increasingly complex mandate. We therefore place a strong emphasis on the core areas of Recruitment, Development, Engagement and Wellbeing. We believe that building a culture which attracts talented people from diverse backgrounds leads to better service for consumers and stakeholders. Resourcing continues to remain a challenge. We experienced a spike in attrition during the year due to increasing competition from other public and private sector entities. As a high proportion of our roles require specialised skills Engineers, Economists, Accountants, Lawyers and Analysts it can be challenging to ensure we quickly fill our vacancies with the skill and talent required. During 2017 we developed and launched a bespoke Competency Framework. This identifies our core skills and behaviours and brings renewed focus to our values of Integrity, Effectiveness, Excellence, Transparency and Integrity. We are using this framework as part of the recruitment process to provide additional clarity regarding requirements and how candidates will be tested and measured. The quality, skill and dedication of our people is a key component in the organisation s ability to achieve our regulatory objectives and fulfil our role in promoting competition, protecting customers and encouraging innovation. In an effort to retain and attract talent, we invest in enabling people to develop their technical and professional skills through internal programmes and formal education. Based on our training needs analysis, we introduced a calendar of organisational programmes which included management development, professional and technical programmes and lunch time sessions designed to encourage collaboration and information sharing. We continue to sponsor education and our staff have achieved excellent results as they augment their knowledge and ability. Our mentoring programme was further enhanced during 2017 and continues to provide opportunities to share insights, expertise and knowledge at all levels throughout the organisation. We are committed to providing a fulfilling and progressive workplace which will be enhanced by the new working environment in One Dockland Central where the ComReg offices relocated in June The open plan design facilitates information sharing and collaboration. We continue to work on our foundations updating our policies and practices in accordance with our values and legislation.

45 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report We are committed to ensuring that diversity thrives, that all colleagues are treated fairly and with respect and are aware of what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. The objective of our active wellness agenda is to emphasise the importance of taking care of physical and mental health. We do this through facilitating access to experts, and to latest thinking in holistic wellbeing. A new electronic HR system was rolled out in 2017, enabling increased efficency by minimising our reliance on manual processes. We are currently using the system for operational and L&D purposes and expect to expand this over the next 12 months by creating further efficiencies in the areas of metrics and performance management. The achievements of ComReg are built on the quality, commitment and professional standards of the people who work here. We look forward to continuing to build on this through the future introduction of new and refreshed initiatives. Operational excellence During the period under review, ComReg continued to strive to be an effective and dynamic regulator using the necessary resources in order to respond to a rapidly changing environment. During the period under review we issued 194 publications. We also conduct Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) where appropriate, to ensure excessive regulatory burdens are avoided. ComReg recognises the importance of being upto-date in its research on markets and consumer behaviour. In particular, ComReg works with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on a number of research projects such as the Price Lab research which examined consumer responses to switching providers and the role that information plays in the decisions made by consumers. ComReg believes that making use of such data deepens our understanding of the markets we regulate. During the period, ComReg also worked on other key initiatives ComReg updated its Business Continuity Planning function ComReg further improved financial reporting functionality. ComReg continued to put in place a project management system for all staff ComReg Customer Charter and Action Plan ComReg Irish Language Scheme ComReg is aware of its responsibilities in relation to sustainability issues. We have put in place a number of green initiatives which include the promotion of public transport use by staff under the tax-saver scheme, staff access to the cycle-to-work scheme, the use of recycling bins and energy efficient measures including the installation of sensory-activated lights in offices and other locations, and timers on water heaters. ComReg will continue to put in place necessary measures, where possible, in order to reduce our Carbon footprint. ComReg is required to ensure that we comply with sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Disability Act We ensure that the public areas of our building are accessible to people with disabilities. We ensure that our mainstream public services are accessible to people with disabilities. We have appointed an access officer they can be contacted on access@comreg.ie We ensure that the goods or services we purchase are accessible to persons with disabilities We ensure that information we impart is provided in an accessible format to persons with disabilities. Information Technology In-line with current egovernment policy, ComReg continues to enhance its Information Technology services. During the period under review there was a significant review of ComReg s IT infrastructure in tandem with the organisations move to new premises.

46 44 ComReg continued to improve its strategic consumer management system to process consumer queries and complaints handled by ComReg. Its features include more efficient data capture and enhanced reporting capabilities. ComReg also continued to develop its digital presence primarily focussing on the amalgamated and the applications it hosts. ComReg continues to invest in its operational systems to achieve efficiency in speed of processing applications e.g. Radio Licensing, Authorisations and Consumer Issues etc. and making more efficient use of staff resources by systemising operational tasks where possible Figure 20: Consumer Homepage Communications and Engagement One of ComReg s key goals is to interact proactively with its stakeholders. ComReg has a wide range of stakeholders spanning from individual consumers and their representative groups, to authorised operators, industry representative groups as well as domestic and international government bodies and departments, among others. We see frank and open engagement with all stakeholders as highly beneficial. Given the range of our stakeholders, ComReg tailors its communication and engagement to different stakeholder groups. ComReg uses formal consultations which gives stakeholders the opportunity to offer feedback and express opinions on developing regulatory measures and proposed regulatory decisions. ComReg uses Advisory panels to gain insights into consumer issues including issues for consumers with accessibility requirements. We also host industry stakeholder forums to facilitate the development of new regulated wholesale products and changes to existing products. These forums also provide the industry with an opportunity to communicate to us on topical issues. ComReg also appears before Oireachtas Committees when requested. We appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment in January 2017 to discuss postal matters and again in May 2017 to discuss our Strategy for and roaming.

47 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) ComReg is an active member of BEREC. Before the end of each year and having consulted with its stakeholders BEREC adopts an Annual Work Programme for the following year. The individual elements of the Work Programme are allocated to nine Expert Working Groups (EWGs), which are staffed by representatives from national regulatory authorities (NRAs), like ComReg, from across the 28 Member States of the European Union and the 4 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland). Participation in BEREC s Work Programme is a requirement of the regulatory framework and it represents a significant commitment by NRAs. ComReg participates directly in a number of EWGs, currently Co-chairing the Benchmarking EWG, and is actively involved in all BEREC outputs. In addition to its annual Work Programme, BEREC s work also includes providing opinions and technical advice to the European legislative institutions (the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament). Furthermore, BEREC continues to co-operate with other advisory bodies, such as the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) 41 and European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) 42 where that cooperation contributes to the interests of citizens and the promotion of competition. 41 Radio Spectrum Policy Group; 42 European Network and Information Security Agency;

48 46 BEREC Plenary Meetings In accordance with the BEREC Regulation, the Board of Regulators meets four times per year where a number of key documents were adopted and approved for publication, including: Public consultation on BEREC Strategy BEREC Work Programme for 2017 (January to December) BEREC s response to the public consultation from the European Commission on the update of the SMP Guidelines Guidelines on the Implementation by National Regulators of European Net Neutrality Rules, which was a legislative requirement under the Net Neutrality Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 laying down measures concerning open internet access) Revised BEREC Guidelines to explain the EU Roaming Regulations (Regulation (EU) No. 531/2012) including the Commission Implementing Regulation (CIR), which set down detailed rules on the application of a fair use policy (FUP) for roaming customers. Consistency in Regulation across Europe In order to achieve a greater consistency in regulatory processes, the European Commission has oversight powers in respect of measures which NRAs may take regarding the competitive state of markets at national level (referred to as Article 7 cases after the provisions of Article 7 and 7a of the Framework Directive (Directive 2002/21/EC, as amended)). When the Commission expresses serious doubts about an NRA s analysis of the market and remedies to address competitive failures, it opens a so-called Phase II investigation and must take the utmost account of BEREC Opinions before exercising its powers. In such instances, BEREC has a procedure to establish an ad hoc EWG responsible for drafting an opinion. As of May 2011, the Commission s powers may only be exercised after having taken the utmost account of BEREC Opinions. ComReg has provided a member to three such ad hoc EWG s, which drafted opinions adopted by the Board of Regulators, as follows: June/July 2016, ComReg provided the Chair of the EWG (case IT/2016/1885) that considered the EU Commission s serious doubts related to a dispute resolution with respect to voice call termination on individual mobile networks in Italy. February/March 2017, ComReg provided a member of the EWG (case NL/2017/1960) that considered the EU Commission s serious doubts concerning wholesale high-quality access provided at a fixed location in the Netherlands. February/March 2017, ComReg provided a member of the EWG (case DE/2017/1961) that considered the EU Commission s serious doubts concerning the market for wholesale call termination in individual public telephone networks provided at a fixed location in Germany. All BEREC Opinions adopted by the Board of Regulators are published on the BEREC website. European Commission s Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy In May 2015 the EU Commission published its strategy for a Digital Single Market (DSM), which is broadly intended to bring down barriers to unlock online opportunities and make the EU s single market fit for the digital age. Included in the strategy statement was the intention to conduct a review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications (the Framework) and in September 2016 the EU Commission published a draft framework, the European Electronic Communications Code ( Code ) and a revised BEREC Regulation, which would see significant changes to BEREC s structure and how it operates. ComReg has carefully examined the Commission s proposals and was also directly involved in BEREC s analysis of these proposals. In December 2016, BEREC published a high-level opinion providing its initial evaluation of both the Commission s proposals in the Code and the draft BEREC Regulation.

49 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report This high-level opinion included a preliminary assessment of some key topics (the scope of the regulation, the definition of ECS, end-user provisions, access regulation and governance issues). BEREC subsequently focused on carrying out a more comprehensive analysis of the proposals in order to provide technical contribution to the legislative process i.e. BEREC intended to provide the co-legislators (European Commission, European Parliament and Council) with relevant technical expertise and concrete suggestions for amendments to the Commission s initial proposals, through a series of short technical documents on a arrange of topics including: non-competitive oligopolies the forced step-back of regulation market analysis symmetric regulation co-investment vertically separate undertakings the double-lock veto mechanism the duration of spectrum rights implementing acts on spectrum information requests (notably on OTTs) the notification process for General Authorisations and administrative charges and the ITRE draft report on the proposed BEREC Regulation The Independent Regulators Group (IRG) ComReg is also an active participant in the Independent Regulators Group (IRG), which was established in 1997 by a group of European NRAs, to assist in sharing experiences and points of view among its members on important issues relating to the regulation and development of the European telecommunications market. The IRG works in close cooperation with BEREC (Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications) and all members of the IRG are also members or observers in BEREC. The Communications Committee (CoCom) The Communications Committee (CoCom) was established in 2002 under the Framework Directive as an advisory committee to the European Commission. The CoCom is composed of Member State representatives and its main role is to provide opinions on draft measures that the Commission intends to adopt. Along with representatives of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), ComReg participates as part of the Irish delegation and in 2016, CoCom advised the Commission on the regulation (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2286), which set out detailed rules on how fair use policies for roaming should be implemented. All of these documents are published on BEREC s website matter/berec/press_releases/7090-updated-press-release-onberec-papers-on-the-review

50 48 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017 I have pleasure in submitting the annual report and audited financial statements for the Commission for Communications Regulation (the Commission) for the year ended 30 June Principal Activities The Commission was established on 1 December The functions of the Commission are specified in the Communications Regulation Act, 2002, and the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act, These functions relate to the regulation and licensing of the electronic communications industry (including radio and broadcasting transmission), the regulation of postal services, the regulation of premium rate services and the regulation of the.ie domain name. The Commission is funded wholly by income received from the electronic communications, postal and premium rate services industries. Income Levies are raised on certain providers of electronic communications, postal services and premium rate services which are used to fund the cost of regulation. The Commission is also responsible for the management of the radio spectrum and issues and renews a large number of Wireless Telegraphy licences to various operators, public bodies, private companies and individuals. These licences generate most of the Commission s income. Certain licences also include a requirement to pay for the right to use radio spectrum. Financial Results Details of the financial results of the Commission are set out in the Financial Statements and the notes supporting the Financial Statements.

51 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Auditor and Accounts Under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002, the Commission shall keep in such form as may be approved by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expended by it. The Commission shall submit accounts in respect of each year to the Comptroller and Auditor General. Within 42 days of the accounts being audited, the Commission is required to present to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment a copy of such accounts, together with the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Corporate Governance The Commission is committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2009) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is the foundation on which our corporate governance policies are based. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) was effective in relation to financial reporting periods beginning on or after 1st September 2016 and it will be adopted in the 2018 Financial Statements. Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The code is published on our website, and it is the policy of the Commission to ensure compliance with the code. Going Concern The Commissioners, after making enquiries, believe that the Commission has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future and that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Prompt Payment of Accounts The Commission acknowledges its responsibility for ensuring compliance, in all material respects, with the provisions of the European Communities (Late Payments in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2002 ( the Regulations ). Procedures have been put in place to identify the dates upon which invoices fall due for payment and to ensure that payments are made by such dates. Such procedures provide reasonable assurance against material noncompliance with the Regulations. The payment policy during the year under review was to comply with the requirements of the Regulations. Section 33 of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002, requires the Commission to adopt, with the approval of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, a code of financial management and to arrange for its publication following such approval. In addition the Commission is required to review periodically its code of financial management and revise and republish the code as appropriate. There is also a requirement on the Commission to comment in the annual report on adherence to the code. Gerry Fahy Chairperson Commission for Communications Regulation 27 March 2018 Our code of financial management (which is based on the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2009) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) has been approved by the

52 50 STATEMENT OF THE COMMISSION S RESPONSIBILITIES Section 32 of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002, requires the Commission to keep in such form as may be approved by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, all proper and usual accounts of moneys received or expended by it, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet, distinguishing between: a. its functions relating to electronic communications, b. its functions relating to postal matters and c. its functions relating to premium rate services. In preparing financial statements, the Commission is required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Commission will continue in operation. state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; The Commission is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Commission and which enable the Commission to ensure that financial statements comply with the requirements of Section 32 of the Communications Regulation Act. The Commission is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Commission and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. On behalf of the Commission Gerry Fahy Chairperson 27 March 2018 STATEMENT ON INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017 Responsibility for Internal Financial Control On behalf of the Commission, I acknowledge the Commission s responsibility for ensuring that an effective system of internal financial control is maintained and operated. The system can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions are authorised and properly recorded, and material errors or irregularities either are prevented or would be detected in a timely period. Key Control Procedures The Commission has taken steps to ensure an appropriate control environment by: clearly defining management responsibilities; establishing formal procedures for reporting significant control failures and ensuring appropriate corrective action. The Commission has established processes to identify, evaluate and manage business risks by: identifying the nature, extent and financial implication of risks facing the body, including the extent and categories which it regards as acceptable; assessing the likelihood of identified risks occurring; assessing the body s ability to manage and mitigate the risks that do occur; assessing the costs of operating particular controls relative to the benefit obtained. The system of internal financial control is based on a framework of regular management information, administrative procedures, including segregation of duties, and a system of delegation and accountability. In particular it includes:

53 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report a comprehensive budgeting system with an annual budget which is reviewed and agreed by the Commission; regular reviews by the Commission of periodic and annual financial reports which indicate financial performance against forecasts; setting targets to measure financial and other performance; clearly defined capital investment control guidelines; Annual Review of Controls I confirm that a review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control took place for the year ended 30 June On behalf of the Commission Gerry Fahy Chairperson 27 March 2018 formal project management disciplines. The Commission has an internal audit function, which operates in accordance with the Framework Code of Best Practice set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2009). The work of internal audit is informed by analysis of the risks to which the Commission is exposed, and annual internal audit plans are based on this analysis. The analysis of risk is reviewed by the Audit Committee, and the internal audit plans are approved by the Audit Committee and the Commission. At least annually, the internal auditor provides the Audit Committee and the Commission with a report of internal audit activity. The report includes the internal auditor s opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal financial control. The Commission has favoured to continue to apply the 2009 version of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, work is ongoing for adoption of the 2016 version of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in the 2018 Financial Statements. The Commission s monitoring and review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control is informed by the work of the internal auditor, the Audit Committee, which oversees the work of the internal auditor, the executive managers within the Commission who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the financial control framework, and comments made by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his management letter.

54 52

55 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report

56 54 Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 30 June 2017 Notes Year to 30 June Year to 30 June Electronic Communications Post Premium Rate Services Levy Other Levy Levy Total Total Income Levy 7,086 1, ,456 9,824 Licensing Fees 2 45,413 45,413 42,285 Spectrum Income 2 76,050 76,050 24,100 Other Income 2 4,917 4, Gross Income 7, ,380 1, ,836 76,251 Transfer (to) Capital Reserve 12 (5,771) (5,771) (851) NET INCOME 7, ,609 1, ,065 75,400 EXPENDITURE Staff Costs 3 6,148 3, ,380 9,618 Retirement Benefit Costs 17(b) 1, ,803 1,838 Technical Advice 4 5,535 2,396 1, ,213 6,327 Legal Expenses , ,237 1,718 Advertising Administrative Expenses 6 1, ,275 1,975 Auditors Remuneration Premises and Related Expenses 1,308 1, ,552 1,491 Depreciation ,719 1,168 Loss on Disposal of Assets Subscriptions to International Organisations ,473 10,704 2, ,078 24,876 SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) BEFORE APPROPRIATIONS (11,387) 109,905 (255) (276) 97,987 50,524 All income and expenditure for the year relates to continuing activities at the Statement of Financial Position date. The Statement of Cash Flows and Notes 1 to 22 form part of these financial statements. On behalf of the Commission Gerry Fahy Chairperson 27 March 2018

57 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Appropriation Account for the year ended 30 June 2017 Year to 30 June Year to 30 June Total Total Notes Surplus before Appropriations 97,987 50,524 Less: Appropriations Payable to Central Fund 13 (99,368) (50,966) Pension Reserve adjustment 13 1, Surplus after Appropriations 0 0 The Statement of Cash Flows and Notes 1 to 22 form part of these financial statements. On behalf of the Commission Gerry Fahy Chairperson 27 March 2018

58 56 Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2017 Year to 30 June Year to 30 June Total Total Notes Surplus after Appropriations 0 0 Actual return less expected return on scheme assets 17(f) 1,661 (93) Experience gains/(losses) on retirement benefit obligations 17(f) 823 1,226 Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of retirement benefit obligations 2,559 (10,377) Transfers in for prior service 17(g) - - Total actuarial gain/(loss) in the year 5,043 (9,244) Movement in Pension Reserve Balance at 1 July (13,760) (4,074) Total Recognised Gains/(Losses) in the year 5,043 (9,244) Pension Reserve adjustment 13 (1,381) (442) Balance at 30 June (10,098) (13,760) The Statement of Cash Flows and Notes 1 to 22 form part of these financial statements. On behalf of the Commission Gerry Fahy Chairperson 27 March 2018

59 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June June 30 June Fixed Assets Notes Property, Plant & Equipment 7 9,251 3,480 CURRENT ASSETS Receivables 8 9,657 9,700 Short-Term Investments 9 125,587 91,707 Cash and Cash Equivalents 11,114 96, , ,696 Current Liabilities (Amounts falling due within one year) Payables 11 (146,358) (197,696) NET CURRENT ASSETS 0 0 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 9,251 3,480 Total Net Assets excluding Retirement Benefits (Liability) 9,251 3,480 Retirement Benefits Net Defined Benefit (Liability) 17(ci) (10,098) (13,760) Total Net (Liabilities) including Retirement Benefits (Liability) (847) (10,280) Representing Capital Reserves 12 9,251 3,480 Pension Reserve (10,098) (13,760) (847) (10,280) The Statement of Cash Flows and Notes 1 to 22 form part of these financial statements. On behalf of the Commission Gerry Fahy Chairperson 27 March 2018

60 58 Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2017 Year to 30 June Year to 30 June Notes Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities Excess Income over Expenditure (before Appropriations) 97,987 50,524 Difference between pension charge and contributions 1, Depreciation 7 1,719 1,168 Loss on Disposal of Assets 74 - Bank interest 2 (41) (7) Capital reserve transfer 12 5, Decrease / (Increase) in Receivables 43 (87) Increase / (Decrease) in Payables (excluding Central Fund) 9,633 1,756 Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities 116,567 54,647 Cash Flows from Investing Activities Payments to acquire Property, Plant & Equipment 7 (7,568) (2,019) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Bank and Other Interest received Receipt from sale of Asset 4 Payment to Central Fund (160,339) (22,130) Management of Liquid Resources - (Increase) in Short-Term Investments 10 (33,880) (2) Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities (194,174) (22,125) Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 10 (85,175) 30,503

61 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June ACCOUNTING POLICIES The basis of accounting and significant accounting policies adopted by the Commission are set out below. They have all been applied consistently throughout the year and for the preceding year. a) General Information The Commission was set up under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 and has offices at One, Dockland Central, Guild Street, Dublin 1. The functions of the Commission are specified in the Communications Regulation Act, 2002, and the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act, These functions relate to the regulation and licensing of the electronic communications industry (including radio and broadcasting transmission), the regulation of postal services, the regulation of premium rate services and the regulation of the.ie domain name. The Commission is a Public Benefit Entity (PBE). b) Statement of Compliance The financial statements of the Commission for the year ended 30 June 2017 have been prepared in accordance with FRS102, the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Ireland issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), as promulgated by Chartered Accountants Ireland. The Commission has favoured to continue to apply the 2009 version of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) was effective in relation to financial reporting periods beginning on or after 1st September 2016 and it will be adopted in the 2018 Financial Statements. These Financial Statements reflect our compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2009). c) Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities that are measured at fair values as explained in the accounting policies below. The financial statements are in the form approved by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Communications Regulation Act The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Commission s financial statements. 1.1 Income Recognition The Commission receives income from a number of sources Levies on certain providers to fund the costs of regulation. The relevant levies are as follows: i. Electronic Communication levy - The Levy is imposed on providers of electronic communications services. The levy payment due from an individual service provider for any particular year is calculated based on their annual turnover during the financial year ending in the levy year and is payable in four instalments. Income is recognised on a receivable basis. ii. Postal Levy - The Levy is imposed on postal service providers providing postal services within the scope of the universal postal service. Income is recognised on a receivable basis. iii. Premium Rate Services (PRS) are goods and services that you can buy by using your landline, mobile phone, the Internet, interactive digital TV or fax. The PRS Levy is paid equally by PRS services providers and network operators. The levy is invoiced one month in arrears and income is recognised on a receivable basis. Licensing Fees - The main areas this covers is the Radio Communication licensing. Spectrum Income - Income represents fee income paid to the Commission for the right to use radio spectrum. This income is brought to account in the period when it falls due. Spectrum Income of million was recorded as income in In recent years spectrum rights have been awarded via an auction. Winning bidders are required to pay upfront fees and annual licences fees over the life of the licences. The 2017 figures include 48.1m in respect of the 3.6GHz Spectrum Award. In circumstances where the commencement of the related licences is delayed, ComReg makes a provision for the amount potentially repayable based on its estimate of the length of the delay. This is not recognised as income and is included as a creditor (See Note 11). The amount of the provision is reassessed at the end of each accounting period. Other income - Other income includes bank and NTMA interest on deposits and amounts payable to the Commission on foot of compliance and enforcement activities.

62 60 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 1.2 Appropriation of Operating Surplus The surplus generated in the year net of the pension reserve adjustment is payable to the Exchequer. Amounts are paid over to the Central Fund by direction of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (See Note 13). 1.3 Fixed Assets and Depreciation Property plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, adjusted for any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment at rates estimated to write off the cost less the estimated residual value of each asset on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives, as follows: Technical equipment Computer equipment Fixtures & fittings Office Furniture & office equipment Motor vehicles 15% per annum 33 1/3% per annum 9% per annum 15% per annum 20% per annum Residual value represents the estimated amount which would currently be obtained from disposal of an asset, after deducting estimated costs of disposal, if the asset were already of an age and in the condition expected at the end of its useful life. The Commission adopts a minimum capitalisation threshold of 1,000. If there is objective evidence of impairment of the value of an asset, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Income and Expenditure in the year. 1.4 Receivables Receivables are recognised at fair value, less a provision for doubtful debts. The provision for doubtful debts is a specific provision, and is established when there is objective evidence that the Commission will not be able to collect all amounts owed to it. All movements in the provision for doubtful debts are recognised in the Statement of Income and Expenditure. 1.5 Capital Reserve The capital reserve represents the unamortised amount of income used to purchase fixed assets. 1.6 Foreign Currencies Transactions denominated in foreign currencies relating to revenues and costs are translated into euro translated at the rates of exchange ruling on the dates on which the transactions occurred. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into euro at the rates of exchange ruling at the Statement of Financial Position date. 1.7 Short Term Benefits Short term benefits such as holiday pay are recognised as an expense in the year, and benefits that are accrued at yearend are included in the Payables figure in the Statement of Financial Position.

63 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 1.8 Retirement Benefits The Commission is staffed by Commissioners and directly recruited employees. A defined-benefit pension scheme is in place for Commissioners and employees of the Commission. The scheme is funded by contributions from Commissioners, employees and the Commission, which are transferred to a separate trustee administered fund. The Commission also operates the Single Public Service Pension Scheme ( Single Scheme ) for those staff who joined the Single Scheme on or after 1 January Single Scheme members contributions are paid over to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). In addition, the Commission is liable to pay an employer contribution to DPER in accordance with DPER Circular 28/2016. To the extent that a material liability arises, the liability in respect of the Single Scheme members is matched by a deferred funding asset on the basis of the provisions of Section 44 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act The Commission has not accounted for its costs and liabilities under the single public services pension scheme as these are not material on an actuarial basis. The Commission intends to account for the costs and liabilities from 2018 onwards. The Commission has adopted FRS 102 which has impacted on the calculation of Retirement Benefits. Pension scheme assets are measured at fair value. Pension scheme liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected units method. An excess of scheme liabilities over scheme assets is presented on the Statement of Financial Position as a liability. The pension charge in the Statement of Income and Expenditure comprises the current service cost plus the difference between the expected return on defined benefit scheme assets and the interest cost of scheme liabilities. Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in actuarial assumptions and from experience surpluses and deficits are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year in which they occur. The financial statements reflect, at fair value, the assets and liabilities arising from the Commission s defined benefit pension obligations and any related funding, and recognises the cost of providing pension benefits in the accounting period in which they are earned by employees. Retirement benefit scheme liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method.

64 62 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 1.9 Taxation The Commission is not liable for Corporation Tax. Income raised by the Commission is not subject to VAT. Provision is made for taxation on deposit interest received Allocation of Costs The Commission is required under Section 32 of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002, to distinguish between its functions relating to electronic communications, its functions relating to postal matters and its functions relating to the premium rate services. Revenues and expenses directly related to each function are identified separately in the accounts. Shared overhead costs are allocated to each function in proportion to the staff numbers engaged in each function Critical Accounting Judgements and Estimates The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the Statement of Financial Position date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates and may be material. The following judgements have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements. a. Depreciation and Residual Values The Commission have reviewed the asset lives and associated residual values of all fixed asset classes, and in particular, the useful economic life and residual values of fixtures and fittings, and have concluded that asset lives and residual values are appropriate. b. Retirement Benefit obligation The assumptions underlying the actuarial valuations for which the amounts recognised in the financial statements are determined (including discount rates, rates of increase in future compensation levels and mortality rates) are updated annually based on current economic conditions, and for any relevant changes to the terms and conditions of the retirement benefit and post-retirement plans. The assumptions can be affected by: i. the discount rate, changes in the rate of return on high-quality corporate bonds ii. future compensation levels, future labour market conditions.

65 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2017 Year to 30 June Year to 30 June Total Total Notes NON LEVY INCOME Electronic Communications Licensing Fee 2G & 3G Radio Licensing Fees 7,936 8,010 Liberalised Use Licensing Fees 23,068 19,900 Other Radio Licensing Fees 14,409 14,291 MMDS & Deflector Licensing 0 84 Electronic Communications Spectrum Income 45,413 42,285 3G Spectrum Income 27,900 24, GHz Spectrum Income 11 48, ,050 24,100 A 3.6GHz Multi Band Spectrum Auction was conducted during 2016/17. The auction result was announced in May Final upfront fees received (contingent on any licence fee refunds due) amounted to 61.6m. Of the 61.6m, 48.1m was recognised as income. The Commission set aside amounts totalling 13.5 in refunds due to delayed commencement of Lots of the new 3.6 GHz Band Liberalised Use licences. All refunds payable by the Commission will be calculated in accordance with the methodology outlined in the Information Memorandum (Commission Document 16/71). In addition annual Spectrum Usage fees (before indexation) for these licences will amount to a total of 17.7m over the life of the licences. OTHER INCOME Bank Interest 41 7 Sundry* 4, , * Sundry Non Levy Income includes: (a) A payment of 255,000 in September 2016 by Virgin arising from its failure to provide 26,046 of its customers with a contract in a durable form. This is in contravention of the Consumer Information Regulations (b) A payment of 3,094,000 in December 2016 by Eircom arising from its failure to achieve certain performance targets in relation to Eircom s quality of service performance with respect to aspects of its Universal Service Obligation for the period 2014/2015. c) A payment of 1,525,000 in April 2017 by Eircom arising from its failure to achieve certain performance targets in relation to Eircom s quality of service performance with respect to aspects of its Universal Service Obligation for the period 2015/2016. (d) Sundry Income includes various amounts payable to the Commission on foot of compliance and enforcement activities conducted in the period. Where such activities were concluded by legal settlement, they may be subject to a confidentiality clause.

66 64 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June STAFF COSTS Electronic Communications Post PRS Year to 30 June Year to 30 June Levy Other Levy Levy Total Total Employee costs during the year: Wages and Salaries # 5,609 3, ,470 8,774 PRSI ,148 3, ,380 9,618 The average number of staff employed by the Commission during the year, analysed by category, was as follows: #The Commission operates a performance related remuneration scheme (which was originally established by the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation). The scheme is based on individual performance and the Commission approves all payments made under the scheme. Of the total Wages and Salaries costs, 820,000 (or 9%) of the total represents payments to staff in accordance with the provisions of the performance related remuneration scheme and the terms of their contracts of employment (2016: 736,000 (8%)). Staff costs include a termination payment of 13,000 in relation to an employee related settlement. Key Management Personnel Key Management Personnel in ComReg consists of the members of the Commission. Details of the remuneration of Commissioners are shown below. Salary Other Remuneration Total Jeremy Godfrey* Chairperson Gerry Fahy** Chairperson Kevin O Brien Commissioner *Chairperson until 28 February 2017 **Chairperson from 1 March 2017 Other Remuneration represents the cost of medical insurance paid by the Commission. The Commissioners pension entitlements do not extend beyond the standard entitlements in Model Superannuation Scheme for civil servants or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Commissioners are not eligible for performance related pay. 30 June June 2016 Employee Salary breakdown Number Number Range ( 000)

67 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June June 30 June TECHNICAL ADVICE Professional & Technical Advice 7,485 4,632 Contact Management Market Research Quality of Service Monitoring Staff Training and Professional Development ,213 6, LEGAL EXPENSES 2,237 1,718 Legal expenses are stated net of costs recovered from third parties. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Equipment and IT Maintenance Subscriptions to Databases/Research Reports Travel and Subsistence Conferences/Meetings Postal and Telecommunications Stationery Publishing and Promotion Recruitment Light, Heat and Cleaning Insurance Other Administrative Costs ,275 1,975 Other Administrative Costs includes the sum of 40,000 deposit paid for the fit out of a commercial vehicle. The supplier went into receivership. ComReg is seeking recovery of the deposit.

68 66 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Technical Equipment Computer Equipment Fixtures, Fittings & Office Equipment Motor Vehicles Total Cost At 30 June ,857 7,103 2, ,871 Additions 433 2,937 4, ,568 Disposals (612) (3,466) (2,526) (96) (6,700) At 30 June ,678 6,574 4, ,739 Accumulated Depreciation At 30 June ,479 5,226 2, ,391 Disposals (612) (3,448) (2,495) (67) (6,622) Charge for period 322 1, ,719 At 30 June ,189 3, ,488 Net Book Value 30 June ,489 3,494 4, , June ,378 1, ,480 As part of the exit from our previous offices in June 2017, the Commission carried out a review of its Fixed Assets Register and those assets considered obsolete were removed from the Asset Register. These assets included a vehicle that was considered no longer fit for purpose and older IT / Fixtures & Fittings assets that were redundant due to the office move. Such assets had a Net book Value of 78,000. The reduction in Cost and Accumulated Depreciation in respect of such assets is included in the Disposals figures above. Included in the Fixed Asset additions of 7.6m are amounts of 4.4m relating to the fit out of the Commissions new leased premises. 30 June 30 June RECEIVABLES Due within one year: Electronic Communications administration levy Postal administration levy - 3 Radio Licence Income 7,849 7,616 Accrued Income Pre-payments & Recoverable expenses 1, ,657 9, SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS Short Term Investments 125,587 91,707 Short Term Investments comprise Exchequer Notes purchased from the National Treasury Management Agency Limited. The Commission places excess cash holdings in short term investments. These cash holdings mainly represent surpluses generated by the Commission which are payable to the Exchequer (as disclosed in Note 11) and monies held in trust in relation to commitments made by third parties to the Commission and potential refunds in respect of the delayed commencement of certain licences (also disclosed in Note 11).

69 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June June 30 June RECONCILIATION OF NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents in the period (85,175) 30,503 Increase / (Decrease) in Short Term Investments 33,880 2 Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (51,295) 30,505 Opening Net Funds 187, ,491 Closing Net Funds 136, , PAYABLES Amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors 3,598 1,707 Other Creditors 14,329 4,363 Value-added tax Accruals 1,081 1,749 Deferred income (see analysis below) 29,723 31,373 Payroll Payable to Central Fund (see Note 12) 96, , , ,696 Other Creditors includes Cash Deposits in the sum of 0.6m held in trust relating to certain commitments made to the Commission concerning its regulatory functions and potential refunds of 13.5m in respect of delayed commencement of 3.6GHz Band Liberalised Use licences. The corresponding amounts are included in the Commission s year end Short Term Investments balance. Analysis of Deferred Income Radio Licence Income 29,443 30,873 Other ,723 31,373 Where licences are renewed for a period which extends beyond the end of the financial year, a proportion of that income is deferred to meet expenditure in the following year.

70 68 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June June 30 June CAPITAL RESERVES Opening Balance 3,480 2,629 Transfer (to) / from Income and Expenditure Account: Additions to fixed assets 7,568 2,019 Amortisation in line with fixed asset depreciation (1,719) (1,168) Amount released on disposal of Fixed Assets (78) - Net Amount from Income and Expenditure Account 5, Closing Balance 9,251 3, APPROPRIATION OF SURPLUS Section 30 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 provides that the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform direct the Commission to pay sums to the Exchequer. The amount to be paid over is decided by the Minister after consultation with the Commission. The Commission is awaiting direction from the Department in relation to the final determination of the amount payable to the Central Fund for the year ending 30 June The amount owed to the Exchequer is determined by reference to the surplus recorded by the Commission in the period, adjusted for a number of items as set out below. Gross Amount Due Pension Adjustment(b) Net Amount Due Balance due to Exchequer at 30 June ,299 (3,720) 157,579 Surplus for ,987 97,987 Paid in 2017 (160,339) (160,339) Pension reserve adjustment (a) 1,381 1,381 Pension fund payment clawback (b) ( 960) Balance at 30 June ,368 (2,760) 96,608 The comparative figures in respect of the amount owed to the Exchequer as at 30 June 2016 are shown below Balance due to Exchequer at 30 June ,783 (4,040) 128,743 Surplus for ,524 50,524 Paid in 2016 (22,450) (22,450) Pension reserve adjustment (a) Pension fund payment clawback (b) Balance at 30 June ,299 (3,720) 157,579 (a) The pension reserve adjustment represents the difference between the pension amount charged to the Income and Expenditure Account in 2017 of 2,803,000 (2016: 1,838,000) and the employer contributions in the period of 1,422,000 (2016: 1,396,000). (b) The Commission made a total contribution of 5m to its pension fund ( 2.5m in 2008 and 2.5m in 2009, a total of 5m). The amount owed to the Exchequer is shown net of this contribution which is being recovered at 320,000 per annum as payments to the Exchequer are made. In 2017 three years of payments were made resulting in a clawback of 960,000 (2016: 320,000).

71 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June PREMISES AND ACCOMMODATION The Commission moved to new lease premises located at One Dockland Central, Guild Street, Dublin 1 on 6 June The premises are rented at a cost of 1.6m (excluding VAT) per annum. The total of future minimum operating lease payments (excluding VAT) under non-cancellable operating leases in respect of premises occupied by the Commission are as follows: 30 June 30 June Payable Within one year 1, Between one and five years 6, More than five years 6, , MEMBERSHIP OF INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANISATIONS Certain payments to International Telecommunications Organisations are met by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) out of the proceeds of the Electronic Communication Administrative Levy. The charge to the Income and Expenditure Account includes 768,000 (2016 : 687,000) for that purpose. Such charges are invoiced to DCCAE who are subsequently reimbursed by ComReg. 16. COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND ADVISORS/CONSULTANTS DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS The Commissioners and staff complied with the requirements of Section 25 (Disclosure of Interests) of the Communications Regulation Act, There were no transactions in the year in relation to the Commission s activities in which the Commissioners or any advisor or consultant had any interest. 17. RETIREMENT BENEFITS a) Description of Scheme The Commission is a national regulatory authority established under the Communications Regulation Act, Sections 26 and 27 of the Act provide that the Commission shall make schemes for granting of superannuation benefits to and in respect of Commissioners and staff members, subject to Ministerial approval. A funded defined-benefit scheme is being operated for the employees of the Commission. The benefits are defined by reference to the current model public sector scheme regulations. Employer contribution rates are set having regard to actuarial advice and periodic review on the funding rate required for the scheme. The scheme provides a retirement benefit (one eightieth per year of service), a gratuity or lump sum (three eightieths per year of service) and spouse s and children s retirement benefits. Normal retirement age is a member s 65th birthday. Retirement benefits in payment (and deferment) normally increase in line with general public sector salary inflation. The Commission also operates the Single Public Service Pension Scheme ( Single Scheme ) for those staff who joined the Single Scheme on or after 1 January Single Scheme members contributions are paid over to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). In addition, the Commission is liable to pay an employer contribution to DPER in accordance with DPER Circular 28/2016. The Commission has not accounted for its costs and liabilities under the single public services pension scheme as these are not material on an actuarial basis. The Commission intends to account for the costs and liabilities from 2018 onwards. For the purposes of reporting in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102), an update of the actuarial review (in respect of the funded defined benefit scheme) was completed as at 30 June 2017.

72 70 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June RETIREMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED) 30 June 30 June b) Retirement Benefit Costs Current service cost 2,903 2,094 Interest cost 1,111 1,211 Expected return on Scheme Assets (860) (1,124) Less: Employees Contributions (351) (343) Total 2,803 1,838 ci) Net Retirement Benefit Liability Made up of: Fair value of Scheme Assets 47,350 43,341 Present Value of Retirement benefit obligations (57,448) (57,101) Net (Liability) (10,098) (13,760) cii) Present Value of Retirement Benefit Obligations at beginning of year 57,101 45,053 Current Service Cost 2,903 2,094 Interest Cost 1,111 1,211 Actuarial (Gain) /Loss (3,382) 9,151 Benefits Paid (285) (408) Present Value of Retirement Benefit Obligations at end of year 57,448 57,101 ciii) Change in Scheme Assets Fair Value of Scheme Assets at beginning of year 43,341 40,979 Expected return on Scheme Assets 860 1,124 Actuarial Gain/(Loss) 1,661 (93) Employer Contributions 1,422 1,396 Members Contributions Benefits paid from Scheme (285) (408) Fair Value of Scheme Assets at end of year 47,350 43,341 The current practice of increasing retirement benefits in line with public sector salary inflation is taken into account in measuring the defined retirement benefit obligation.

73 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June RETIREMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED) 30 June 30 June d) Scheme Asset Composition The scheme assets at the year end were composed of: Equities 25,258 21,426 Bonds 18,110 18,098 Property Cash and Other liquid assets 3,388 3,265 47,350 43,341 The scheme assets at the year end expressed in % terms comprised % % Equities 53.3% 49.4% Bonds 38.3% 41.8% Property 1.2% 1.3% Cash and Other liquid assets 7.2% 7.5% 100.0% 100.0% Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations Discount Rate 2.40% 1.95% Rate of compensation increase 3.30% 3.00% Weighted average assumptions used to determine pension expense Discount Rate 1.95% 2.70% Expected long-term return on scheme assets 1.95% 2.70%

74 72 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June RETIREMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED) 30 June 30 June e) Principal Actuarial, Financial & Demographic Assumptions The financial assumptions used were as follows: Discount rate 2.40% 2.70% Salary increases 3.30% 3.00% Pension increases 2.80% 2.50% Inflation increases 1.80% 1.50% The Demographic Assumptions used were as follows Mortality Pre-Retirement & Post-Retirement Retirements S2PMA with CMI 2013 (1.5%) improvements for all members It is assumed that all members who joined prior to 1 April 2004 retire at age 60 and all other members retire at 65 Ill Health Retirement No allowance No allowance Early Retirement No allowance No allowance Withdrawals No allowance No allowance Percentage married Age Difference between spouses It is assumed that 90% of Males and 75% of Females are married. A male is assumed to be 3 years older than his spouse S2PMA with CMI 2013 (1.5%) improvements for all members It is assumed that all members who joined prior to 1 April 2004 retire at age 60 and all other members retire at 65 It is assumed that 90% of Males and 75% of Females are married. A male is assumed to be 3 years older than his spouse * The mortality assumptions chosen are based on standard tables reflecting typical pensioner mortality and they allow for increasing life expectancy over time. The assumptions underlying the actuarial valuations for which the amounts recognised in the financial statements are determined (including discount rates, rates of increase in future compensation levels and mortality rates) are updated annually based on current economic conditions, and for any relevant changes to the terms and conditions of the retirement benefit and post-retirement plans. The assumptions can be affected by: (a) the discount rate, changes in the rate of return on high-quality corporate bonds (b) future compensation levels, future labour market conditions

75 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June June 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June RETIREMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED) f) History of defined benefit obligations, assets and experience gains and losses Defined benefit 57,448 57,101 45,053 43,480 35,749 obligations Fair value of Scheme Assets Deficit / (Surplus) for funded Scheme Experience Adjustment on Scheme Assets percentage of scheme assets (47,350) (43,341) (40,979) (35,758) (30,566) (10,098) (13,760) 4,074 7,722 5,183 1,661 (93) 1,821 2,675 1, % 0.2% 4.4% 7.5% 4.5% Experience gains / (losses) on Scheme Liabilities amount 823 1,226 1,828 (1,549) (267) percentage of Scheme Liabilities 1.4% 2.1% 4.1% (3.6%) (0.8%) g) Prior Pensionable Service The liabilities of the pension scheme relate to retirement benefits arising from service with the Commission and service with other public bodies prior to joining the Commission where such service is known to the Commission. The Commission is entitled to seek to recover the cost of funding the prior service from other public bodies under the terms of its membership of the Public Service Transfer Network. For service transferred by members prior to 30 June 2017, the total value of such payments received in the year to 30 June 2017 was Nil (2016: Nil). Payments in respect of transferred in service (when received) are shown as a separate item in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. h) Funding of retirements benefits A triennial actuarial valuation of the scheme was carried out as at 1 January 2016 and the recommended contribution rate was subsequently agreed. The next triennial actuarial valuation is due to be carried out as at 1 January 2019.

76 74 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Legal costs incurred to date have been fully provided for in these financial statements. However, the Commission is involved in a number of legal cases, the outcome of which is uncertain. Potential future costs in relation to these cases have not been provided for due to the uncertainty around the outcome and the potential costs that may be incurred. 19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS As part of the ordinary course of business, the Commission has had transactions with other government departments and other state bodies. Key Management Remuneration is disclosed in Note PENSION RELATED DEDUCTION An amount of 568,000 (2016 : 473,000) deducted from salaries in respect of the Pension Related Deduction was paid to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in the year ended 30 June POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS There were no events after the year end which could have a material impact on any information in these financial statements. 22. APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS These financial statements were approved by Gerry Fahy, Chairperson, for the Commission, on the 27th March 2018.

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78 76 Commission for Communications Regulation Block DEF, Abbey Court, Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1 Tel: Fax: designed by

79 TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL

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81 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL DON TRÉIMHSE 1 IÚIL MEITHEAMH 2017 Arna cur faoi bhráid an Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaire ar son na haeráide agus Comhshaoil de réir Alt 32 den Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide 2002

82 2 Figiúr 1: Fís, Ról agus Misean ComReg 1 FÍS Tá rochtain leathan ag gnónna agus tomhaltóirí in Éirinn ar sheirbhísí cumardáide inacmhainne d ardcháilíocht agus ar fheidhmchláir a thacaíonn lena riachtanais shóisialta agus eacnamaíocha. RÓL Is é ról ComReg a chinntiú go n-oibríonn margaidh chumarsáide ar mhaithe le húsáideoirí deiridh agus leis an tsochaí. MISEAN Trí rialú ábhartha agus éifeachtach éascaímid earnáil chumarsáide iomaíoch a fhorbairt in Éirinn a mheallann infheistíocht, a spreagann nuálaíocht agus a chuireann ar cumas tomhaltóirí muinín a bheith acu i roghnú agus úsáid seirbhísí cumarsáide. 1 Doiciméad ComReg 17/31

83 Clár na nábhar Coimisinéirí 5 Foireann Ceannaireachta 5 Faoi ComReg 6 Struchtúr Eagraíochtúil 8 Forbhreathnú Cumarsáide 10 Athbhreithniú an Chathaoirligh 14 Tomhaltóirí 16 Iomaíocht 24 Bainistíocht Speictream Raidió 28 Uimhriú 35 Rialáil Poist 38 An Rannán Seirbhísí Corparáideacha 41 Gnóthaí Idirnáisiúnta 45 Ráitis Airgeadais 48

84 4 Figiúr 1: Fís, Ról agus Misean ComReg 2 Figiúr 2: Creat Straitéiseach ComReg 7 Figiúr 3: Cuspóirí Straitéiseacha ComReg 9 Figiúr 4: Cosáin Rochtana Indíreacha Chaolbhanda 11 Figiúr 5: Síntiúis Mhóibíleacha 11 Figiúr 6: Figiúr 7: Sciar den Mhargadh - Líon Síntiús (lena n-áirítear leathanbhanda móibíleach agus M2M) 12 Próifíl Siúntiús Leathanbhanda Gníomhach de réir Cineáil 12 Figiúr 8: Síntiúis agus Fás Leathanbhanda 12 Figiúr 9: Comparáid bhréagionsaí leathanbhanda teaghlaigh na heorpa, Figiúr 10: Tithe Teilifíse de réir Modh Glactha 13 Figiúr 11: An Phríomh - Oifig Staidrimh Praghasinnéacs Tomhaltóirí 13 Figiúr 12: Aistear Tomhaltóra 16 Figiúr 13: Foireann Rannpháirtíochta ComReg ag freastal ar thaispeántas do dhaoine os cionn 50 san RDS i mbaile Átha Cliath 17 Figiúr 14: Rialachán chun Iomaíocht a Chur Chun Cinn 24 Figiúr 15: Torthaí an Bhronnta Speictream Banda 3.6 GHz 29 Figiúr 16: Seastán Speictrim 31 Figiúr 17: 31 Figiúr 18: Príomhghnéithe a théann i bhfeidhm ar thaithí úsáideoir móibíleach 32 Figiúr 19: Léarscáil Chód Ceantair 36 Figiúr 20: Leathanach Baile Tomhaltóra 44

85 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Coimisinéirí Gerry Fahy Cathaoirleach Jeremy Godfrey Coimisinéir Kevin O Brien Coimisinéir Foireann Ceannaireachta Caroline Dee-Brown Ard-Abhcóide Barbara Delaney Stiúrthóir, Rannóg Seirbhísí Tomhaltóra agus Miondíola John Evans Comhairleoir Sinsearach Eacnamaíocht, Beartas agus Taighde Joe Heavey Stiúrthóir Rannán Seirbhísí Corparáideacha Donal Leavy Stiúrthóir Rannán Mórdíola George Merrigan Stiúrthóir An Rannán Creata Mhargaidh

86 6 Faoi ComReg Comhlacht Reachtúil is ea ComReg a bhfuil freagracht aige as cumarsáid leictreonach (teileachumarsáid, cumarsáid raidió agus líonraí craolacháin), seirbhísí ardráta agus poist a rialú. An túdarás rialála náisiúnta is ea ComReg do na rannáin sin de réir Dlí na héireann agus an AE. Chomh maith leis sin bainistímid an speictream miníocht raidió agus an acmhainn uimhrithe náisiúnta i measc freagrachtaí eile.

87 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Figiúr 2: Creat Straitéiseach ComReg 2 Creat Straitéiseach ComReg Fís Misean Ról PRIONSABAIL Ag leagan síos na rialacha d iomaíocht éifeachtach Ag cosaint agus ag cur tomhaltóirí ar an eolas Ag cruthú na gcoinníollacha le haghaidh infheistíochta NA húirlísí ATÁ AR FÁIL DÚINN Comhlíonadh le dualgais rialála a chinntiú Rannpháir -tíocht éifeachtach páirtithe leasmhara Tuiscint mhaith ar mhargaidh lena n-áirítear margaidh bhainteacha Anailísíocht láidir ar shonraí lena n-áirítear cáilíocht agus infhaighteacht AN CHAOI A THACAÍMID LENA RÓL Eagraíocht spreagtha, oilte agus aclaí a chothú Macántacht Neamhchlaontacht Éifeachtúlacht Barr Feabhais Trédhearcacht ÁR LUAHANNA 2 Doiciméad ComReg 17/31

88 8 Struchtúr Eagraíochtúil Bunaíodh an Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide (ComReg) ar an 1 Nollaig 2002 faoin Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide 2002 agus é faoi cheannas Coimisiúin ar a bhfuil suas le trí Choimisinéir. Ag deireadh na tréimhse tuarascála seo bhí trí Choimisinéir sa Choimisiún, Gerry Fahy (Cathaoirleach), Jeremy Godfrey, agus Kevin O Brien. Tá an Coimisiún leis an bhfoireann ceannasaíochta freagrach as bainistíocht straitéiseach agus oibríoch na heagraíochta. Braitheann ComReg ar iarrachtaí ár bhfoirne go léir (lena n-áirítear dlíodóirí, eacnamaithe, innealtóirí, cuntasóirí, anailísithe gnó agus speisialtóirí riaracháin) chun ár misean a sheachadadh agus ár gcuspóirí rialála a chomhlíonadh. Tá ComReg déanta suas de cheithre Rannán á dtacú ag Ard-Abhcóide agus Comhairleoir Sinsir - Eacnamaíocht, Beartas agus Taighde. Tá an struchtúr bunaithe ar fhoirne ilréimsiúla ag feidhmiú i dtimpeallacht ildisciplíneach. Feidhmeanna Tá ComReg freagrach as iomaíocht a chur chun cinn, tomhaltóiri a chosaint agus as nuálaíocht a spreagadh. Pléimid le saincheisteanna casta dlí, eacnamaíochta, cuntasaíochta, rialacháin agus teicneolaíochta. Tá ár gcuspóiri leagtha amach ar aon dul le reachtaíocht phríomha agus thánaisteach agus leanann an creat reachtaíochta seo ag éabhlú ón Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide I 2007 cuireadh le freagrachtaí agus cumhachtaí ComReg chomh maith le bearta forfheidhmithe a chur ar fáil tríd an Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide (Leasú) Go háirithe tugadh cumhachtaí Acht Iomaíochta do ComReg maidir le cumarsáid agus seirbhísí leictreonacha.

89 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Aistríodh freagracht as seirbhísí ardráta a rialú leis an Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide 2010 (Seirbhísí Ardráta agus Infreastruchtúr Cumarsáide Leictreonach) do ComReg agus thosaigh ComReg ag rialú sa réimse seo in Iúil Leagtar amach freagrachtaí rialála ComReg maidir le cúrsaí poist san Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide (Seirbhísí Poist) Figiúr 3: Cuspóirí Straitéiseacha ComReg 3 CUSPÓIRÍ STRAITÉISEACHA Faoi na hachtanna um Rialáil Cumarsáíde 2002 go 2007 tá réimse feidhmeanna agus cuspóirí ag ComReg maidir le forálacha líonraí cumarsáide leictreonacha, seirbhísí cumarsáide leictreonacha agus poist. Áirítear orthu sin: A chinntiú go gcomhlíonann oibritheoirí lena ndualgais Iomaíocht a chur chun cinn Ag cur le forbairt an mhargaidh inmhéanaigh Leasa úsáideoirí laistigh den Chomhphobal Eorpach a chur chun cinn Bainistíocht éifeachtach agus úsáid speictrim minicíocht raidió agus uimhreacha ón scéim uimhrithe náisiúnta a chinntiú Forbairt na hearnála poist a chur chun cinn agus go háirithe seirbhís uilíoch a bheith ar fáil Leasa úsáideoirí deiridh seirbhísí ardráta a chosaint Clúdaíonn an Tuarascáil Bhliantúil seo ár bpríomhghníomhaíochtaí ón 1 Iúil 2016 go 30 Meitheamh IOMAÍOCHT Soláthraíonn an margadh nuálaíocht agus an rogha is fearr is féidir d oibritheoirí mórdhíola agus miondíola COSAINT TOMHALTÓRA Is féidir le tomhaltóirí seirbhísí cumarsáide a roghnú agus a úsáid le muinín INFHEISTÍOCHT Trí infheistíocht éifeachtach táthar in ann rochtain leathan ardcháilíochta agus inacmhainne ar sheirbhísí agus feidhmchláir chumarsáide a chur ar fáil FORFHEIDHMIÚ AGUS COMHLÍONADH Comhlíonann aonáin rialáilte le dualgais rialála EAGRAÍOCHT Rialálaí ábhartha agus éifeachtach is ea muid 3 Doiciméad ComReg 17/31

90 10 Forbhreathnú Cumarsáide Tógadh figiúirí sa chuid seo ó thuarascálacha ráithiúla foilsithe idir R agus R Líon oibritheoirí Faoin bpróiseas údaraithe tugann oibritheoirí fógra do ComReg faoina rún líonraí nó seirbhísí a sholáthar do thríú páirtithe. Roimh Mheitheamh 2017, cláraíodh 631 fhógra den sórt sin a raibh 620 díobh seasta/gan sreanga agus 11 díobh móibíleach. Sciar den mhargadh Líne Seasta Bunaithe ar shonraí oibritheora curtha isteach tríd an gceistneoir Tuarascáil Ráithiúil, rinne Oibritheoirí Údaraithe Eile (OAOanna) suas 51% den mhargadh líne seasta iomlán d ioncam foriomlán (miondíol agus mórdhíol) roimh Mheitheamh 2017 suas ó 50.8% i Meitheamh Eircom Teo., a rinne suas an chuid eile den mhargadh. Réamhroghnú Iompróra (CPS), Cíos Líne Mórdhíola (WLR) agus Rochtain Lipéad Bán (WLA) Is féidir rochtain indíreach ar líonraí líne seasta do sheirbhísí glao a sholáthar trí réamhroghnú iompróra (CPS) sa chás go gcuireann an t-oibritheoir na seirbhísí glao ar fáil ag úsáid líonra an oibritheora reatha agus íocann an custaiméar an cíos líne leis an úsáideoir reatha. Trí Chíos Líne Mórdhíola (WLR) is féidir le hoibritheoir sonrascadh aonair a sholáthar do thomhaltóir dá gcíos líne seasta agus dá n-úsáid glao seasta araon. Seirbhís gutha gan lasc is ea Rochtain Ghutha- Rochtain Lipéad Bán (WLA-(Voice)) a cheadaíonn d oibritheoir seirbhísí ceann ceann a cheannach gan ghá a hinfreastruchtúr idirnaisc féin a bheith aige. Roimh dheireadh Meitheamh 2017, bhí 54.4% de na línte go léir soláthraithe trí rochtain indíreach ag WLR, (síos ó 64.0% ag deireadh Meitheamh 2016), bhí 43.2% ag WLA suas ó 33.0% i Meitheamh 2016) agus

91 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil bhí 2.4% de na línte ag CPS (síos 3.0% i Meitheamh 2016). San iomlán bhí 577,154 chosán rochtana indíreacha ann ag deireadh R2 2017, síos 1.8% ó Mheitheamh Figiúr 4: Cosáin um Rochtain Indíreach Chaolbhanda Figiúr 5: Síntiúis Mhóibíleacha Síntiúis Mhóibíleacha Q Q2 17 5,891,737 5,900,909 6,000,000 5,732,469 5,758,951 5,765,765 5,880,330 5,881,609 5,763,977 5,736,259 5,500,000 Réamhroghnú Iompróra, Cíos Líne Mórdhíola agus Cosáin Rochtana Lipéad Bán 5,000,000 4,814,217 4,821,454 4,802,191 4,875,125 4,847, , , , , , , , , , ,154 4,500,000 4,823,284 4,792,280 4,871,594 4,834,854 Cosáin Rochtana 550, , , , , , , , , ,000 50, , ,869 21, , ,191 20, , ,158 18,898 Q2'15 Q3'15 Q4'15 Q1'16 Q2 16 Q3 16 Q4 16 Q1 17 Q2 17 CPS SB-WLR WLA 188, ,968 18,106 Foinse: Ceistneoir Príomhshonraí Ráithiúla Cosáin rochtana teileacomarsáide sheasta agus trácht gutha sheasta Bhí 1.43 mhilliún cosáin um rochtain Líonraí Teileafóin Lasctha Poiblí (PSTN) díreacha agus neamhdhíreacha agus Líonraí Digiteacha Lasctha Comhtháite (ISDN) ann i margadh na héireann i Meitheamh 2017, laghdú 3.9% ó Mheitheamh Tá 40.4% de chosáin rochtana go léir sa mhargadh copair sheasta maidir le rochtain neamhdhíreach ag úsáid WLR nó CPS. Leantar le laghdú ar thrácht gutha a eascraíonn ar líonraí seasta. Rinne an meánrannpháirtí cónaitheach 107 nóiméad guthghlaonna seasta i R i gcomparáid le 126 nóiméad i R Seirbhísí cumarsáide móibíleacha Ag deireadh Meitheamh 2017 bhí 5.9 milliún rannpháirtithe ar sheirbhísí cumarsáide móibíleacha in Éirinn atá cothrom le ráta treáite 125.2%. I R bhí síntiúis iomlána M2M ag 606,683 ag méadú go 746,803 i R fás bliantúil 23.1%. 194, ,453 17, , ,745 16, , ,816 15, , ,543 14, , ,081 13,580 4,000,000 Q2'15 Q3'15 Q4'15 Q1'16 Q2'16 Q3'16 Q4'16 Q1'17 Q2'17 Síntiúis gan leathanbhanda móibíleach agus M2M san áireamh Síntiúis lena n-áirítear leathanbhanda agus M2M Foinse: Ceistneoir Príomhshonraí Ráithiúla Nóta: Áiríodh dhá oibritheoir mhóibíleacha ó R De bharr go páirteach úsáid mhéadaitheach ag tomhaltóirí ar sheirbhísí teachtaireachta ar an toirt laghdaigh an líon téacsteachtaireachta faoi 13.8% i R i gcomparáid le R Sna trí mhí go Meitheamh 2017 chuir an meánrannpháirtí móibíleach 84 theachtaireacht ar an meán in aghaidh na míosa i gcomparáid le 99 in aghaidh na míosa sa ráithe go Meitheamh Laghdaigh meán-nóiméid guthghlao rannpháirtithe in aghaidh na móibíle go míosúill ó 219 nóiméad in aghaidh na móibíle i Meitheamh 2016 go 214 nóiméad in aghaidh na míosa i Meitheamh Ba é 4.1GB an meántrácht míosúil in aghaidh na móibíle ag úsáid seirbhísí gutha agus sonraí i Meitheamh 2017 i gcomparáid le 2.4GB i Meitheamh Be é an Meánioncam míosúil in aghaidh an Úsáideora i R do rannpháirtithe fón móibíle réamhíoctha fad is gurbh é an Meánioncam míosúil in aghaidh an Úsáideora do rannpháirtithe fón móibíle iar-íoctha. Be é an Meánioncam míosúil in aghaidh an Úsáideora do rannpháirtithe leathanbhanda móibíleach réamhíoctha fad is gurbh é an Meánioncam míosúil in aghaidh an Úsáideora do rannpháirtithe leathanbhanda móibíleach iar-íoctha. Bhí 398,219 uimhir mhóibíle phortáilte idir oibritheoirí sa dá mhí dhéag go Meitheamh 2017 atá cothrom le 33,184 uimhir mhóibíle ar an meán portáilte gach mí.

92 12 Coimeádann Vodafone an sciar is mó ranpháirtithe (lena n-áirítear síntiúis leathanbhanda agus Meaisín 2 Meaisín (M2M) ) agus ag déanamh comparáide idir R agus R mhéadaigh Vodafone sciar an mhargaidh beagán ó 37.8% go 38.2%. Ag deireadh R bhí 34.6% rannpháirtithe ag Grúpa Trí, titim ó 35.5% i R Laghdaigh sciar den mhargadh móibíleach d Eircom Teo., faoi 0.4% ó R Mhéadaigh sciar den mhargadh do Tesco Móibíleach faoi 0.3% fad is gur mhéadaigh sciar den mhargadh d oibritheoirí eile faoi 0.6% ó R Figiúr 6: Sciar den Mhargadh - Líon Síntiús (lena n-áirítear leathanbhanda móibíleach agus M2M Sciar den Mhargadh trí Shíntiús (lena n-áirítear MBB agus M2M) R % 2.7% 2.6% 2.6% 2.9% 100% 6.0% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.3% 90% 80% 35.5% 35.3% 35.3% 35.3% 34.6% 70% 60% 50% 18.4% 18.1% 18.2% 18.1% 18.0% 40% Figiúr 7: Próifíl de Shíntiúis Leathanbhanda Ghníomhacha de réir Cineáil DSL, Cábla, Móibíleach agus Síntiúis Eile Leathanbhanda 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Q Q Q Q Q DSL FTTP 20.8% 21.8% 20.29% 19.81% 18.18% 2.5% 2.5% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 21.8% 21.5% 21.5% 21.5% 21.9% 25.4% 27.2% 29.2% 30.7% 32.2% 0.3% VDSL Saitilít Foinse: Ceistneoir Príomhshonraí Ráithiúil 0.4% 0.4% 0.7% 1.1% 28.8% 27.0% 25.5% 24.2% 23.5% Cábla Leathanbhanda Móibíleach Rochtain gan Sreanga Seasta (FWA) Chomh maith le síntiúis leathanbhanda tá 1,148 mball te WiFi in Éirinn ag cur rochtain leathanbhanda fánaithe ar fáil go náisiúnta go háirithe d úsáideoirí ríomhaire glúine agus fóin chliste. Laghdagh an figiúr seo 61.4% ag déanamh comparáide idir R agus R % 20% 10% 37.8% 37.8% 37.7% 37.8% 38.2% Figiúr 8: Síntiúis agus Fás Leathanbhanda 0% Q Q Q Q Q OÚE (OAOanna) Tesco Móibíleach Grúpa Trí (Three) Foinse: Ceistneoir Príomhshonraí Ráithiúil Grúpa Eir Móibíleach Vodafone Leathanbhanda Faoi dheireadh Meitheamh 2017 bhí 1,685,369 síntiús leathanbhanda. Tá an chuid is mó de na síntiúis seo ag VDLS ag a bhfuil 542,141, á leanúint ag 396,601 shíntiús DSL,369,478 síntiús cábla, déanann Rochtain Gan Sreanga Seasta suas 46,611 shintiús, Cábla Snáthoptaice go háitreabh ag 19,125 agus Saitilít ag 5,093. Ba é líon na síntiús leathanbhanda ag deireadh Meithimh 2017 ná 306,320. I R bhí 32.2% de na síntiús leathanbhanda ag VDSL, 23.2% leathanbhanda cábla ag DSL, 21.9% ag Rochtain Gan Sreanga Seasta (FWA), 1.1% ag FTTP agus síntiúis go léir saitilíte ag 0.3%. Bhí 18.2% de na síntiúis leathanbhanda go léir ag leathanbhanda móibíleach. Ó R tá méadú 26.8% ar líon na síntiús VDSL i gcodarsnacht le titim i síntiúis DSL, saitilíte agus leathanbhanda móibíleach. Cineál Síntiúis R Leathanbhanda DSL Leathanbhanda VDSL Leathanbhanda Cábla Leathanbhanda FTTB Leathanbhanda Saitilíte Leathanbhanda Rochtana gan Sreanga Seasta (FWA) Leathanbhanda Seasta Iomlán Leathanbhanda Móibíleach Leathanbhanda Iomlán Fás Ráithiúil R1 17 R2 17 Fás Bliain ar Bhliain R2 16 R , % -18.2% 542, % 26.8% 369, % +0.8% 19, % 294% 5, % -4.8% 46, % 11.3% 1,379, % 3.6% 306, % -12.5% 1,685, % +0.3% 4 I R chuir Eir a seirbhís WiFi ar scor

93 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Léiríonn Figiúr 9 staid na héireann i gcomparáid le meán an AE28 i dtéarmaí treá tí leathanbhanda móibíleach seasta. Bhí Éire níos airde ná meán an AE28 (86%) do threá tí leathanbhanda (seasta agus móibíleach) i Figiúr 9: Comparáid treá leathanbhanda tí na heorpa 2016 Rátaí Treá Leathanbhanda Tí AE-28 agus Éire 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 42% 31% AE-28 Éire 48% 43% 56% 54% 61% 58% Foinse: Eurostat, Táscairí na Sochaí Faisnéise PS Craoladh 67% 72% 65% 65% Suas go mí Iúil 2017, den 1.59 milliún tí teilifíse in Éirinn bhí síntiús cábla nó seirbhís saitilíte ag 61%, bhí seirbhís aeróige ag 42%, bhí seirbhís TDT (DTT) ag 41% agus bhí seirbhís saitilíte shaorchraolta ag 20%. 76% 67% 80% 78% 83% 80% 86% 83% Forbairtí Praghais I dtéarmaí foriomlána taispeáintear i bhfigiúr 11 an t-athrú san Innéacs Praghais Tomhaltóra (CPI) agus an fo-chomhpháirt chumarsáide. Meánn an PS cumarsáidí mar 3.48% den Innéacs Praghais Tomhaltóra (CPI) iomláin. Ag úsáid Mí na Nollag 2011 mar an bhuntréimhse laghdaigh an t-innéacs Praghais Tomhaltóra iomláin faoi 0.4% sa bhliain go Meitheamh 2017 fad is gur mhéadaigh costais chumarsáide faoi 0.8%. Figiúr 11: Príomhoifig Staidrimh Innéacs Praghais Tomhaltóra Innéacs Praghais Tomhaltóra agus Fo-Chomhpháirt Chumarsáide, Nollaig 2011 = M M M M09 Míreanna go Léir 2015M M M12 Cumarsáid Foinse: Oifig Staidrimh Ghinearalta 2016M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M06 Figiúr 10: Tithe Teilifíse trí Mhodh Glactha Tithe Teilifíse trí Mhodh Glactha, Eanáir Eanáir % 70% 70.0% 70.0% 70.0% 69.0% 69.0% 68.0% 67.0% 63.0% 61.0% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 39.0% 41.0% 39.0% 41.0% 14.0% 14.0% 41.0% 43.0% 43.0% 43.0% 42.0% 41.0% 39.0% 41.0% 43.0% 43.0% 42.0% 41.0% 40.0% 38.0% 20.0% 15.0% 19.0% 13.0% 14.0% 15.0% 14.0% 10% 0% 10.0% 10.0% 11.0% 9.0% 9.0% 9.0% 11.0% 10.0% 10.0% 3.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 3.0% 0.0% 1.0% 1.0% 5.0% Beal-14 M.Fómh-14 Ean-15 Beal-15 M.Fómh-15 Ean-16 Iúil-16 Ean-17 Iúil -17 Aeróg Cábla/ Saitilít (seachas saitilítí eile) Freeview RA, DTT Saitilítí Eile IPTV TDT (DTT) Éireann Foinse: Suirbhé Bunaithe Tomhas Lucht Féachana Teilifíse Nielsen ar Son TAM Éireann Teo.

94 14 Athbhreithniú an Chathaoirligh Maidir leis sin tá a fhios acu i ComReg gur bhunfhadhb é do roinnt daoine an t-easpa leathanbhanda maith agus clúdach móibíleach. Is é sin an fáth go nglacann ComReg páirt ghníomhach i dtascfórsa Móibíleach an Rialtais. Bunaithe in Iúil 2016 is é an aidhm atá ag an Tascfhórsa réiteacha láithreacha a aithint ar an easpa clúdaigh d fhón móibíleach agus leathanbhanda agus fiosrú a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi is féidir seirbhísí níos fearr a chur ar fáil do thomhaltóirí sula rolltar amach an Plean Leathanbhanda Náisiúnta. Tá ComReg tiomanta do roinnt príomhghníomhartha chun taithí foriomlán an tomhaltóra maidir le clúdach leathanbhanda agus móibíleach a fheabhsú. Le linn na bliana d eisigh ComReg freisin a Ráiteas Straitéiseach Cumarsáide Leictreonaí do Leagtar amach sa Ráiteas Straitéiseach ár bhfís don earnáil ina mbaineann tomhaltóirí agus gnónna taitneamh as seirbhísí cumarsáide inrochtana, d ardcháilíocht agus inacmhainne. Ar feadh na bliana faoi athbhreithniú lean an earnáil arna rialú ag ComReg ag fás agus ag forbairt fad is a bhí líonraí agus oibritheoirí cumarsáide ag cothú leibhéil láidre infheistíochta. Cuid riachtanach do ghnónna agus tomhaltóiri araon is ea earnáil chumarsáide leictreonaí atá faoi bhláth agus beo fuinniúil. Anois níos mó ná riamh tá daoine ag brath níos mó ar chórais agus líonraí cumarsáide do chúrsaí oibre oideachais nó do chúiseanna sóisialta. Ar ndóigh tá luas an athraithe san earnáil ag tapú i gcónaí de réir mar atá nuálaíochtaí nua ar nós Idirlíon na nearraí ag éirí níos leithne. Mar rialálaí eacnamaíoch is é ról ComReg ná a chinntiú go n-oibríonn margaidh chumarsáide ar mhaithe le húdáideoirí deiridh agus an tsochaí. Tá nascacht tar éis a bheith lárnach inár saolta go léir agus is príomhthiománaí í do tháirgiúlacht eacnamaíoch agus cuimsiú sóisialta. Forbairtí sa Mhargadh Leathanbhanda Le linn na bliana mhéadaigh riachtanas ar leathanhanda agus d eirigh éileamh foriomlán ar shonraí. Roimh dheireadh R bhí 1.68 milliún síntiúis leathanbhanda. Baineann an chuid is mó de na Síntiúis le VDSL (Línte Síntiús An-Tapa) le 542k á leanúint ag síntiúis líne Dhitigeach Rannpháirtí (DSL) le 397k, síntiúis chábla 369k, síntiúis leathanbhanda Rochtain Gan Sreanga Seasta (FWA) le 47k, Cábla Snáthoptaice go háitreabh (FTTP) le 19k agus Saitilít le 5k. Bhí an líon síntiús leathanbhanda móibíleach ag 306k ag deireadh R Saincheisteanna um Chomhlíonadh Margaidh Sheasta Le linn na tréimhse rinne ComReg athbhreithniú ar Shamhail Rialachais Rialála Eircom Teo. (eir). Thosaigh céim 2 den athbhreithniú i Meán Fómhair 2016 agus críochnaíodh é i Márta Fuair ComReg dréachttuarascálacha óna Chomhairleoirí le breathnú ar an ábhar agus an foilsiúchán.

95 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Seachas sin tá ComReg ag tabhairt faoi fhadhbanna leanúnacha maidir leis an gcaoi ina bhfuil Eircom Teo. ag comhlionadh lena dhualgais rialála. Tá imeachta cúirte tionscanta aige i gcoinne Eircom Teo., maidir le cúig thorthaí um shárú a cuid dualgas riálála thar thréimhse ó Iúil 2011 go Iúil Bhí roinnt fiosrúchán eile ag dul ar aghaidh freisin lena n-áirítear fiosrúcháin a bhaineann le cúrsaí pléite i dtuarascálacha na gcomhairleoirí. Forbairtí sa Mhargadh Móibíleach Ag deireadh na tréimhse tuairiscithe seo bhí os cionn 5.9 milliún síntiús do sheirbhísí cumarsáide mhóibíleacha in Éirinn atá comhionann le ráta treáite 125.2%. De bharr seirbhísí teachtaireachta láithreacha laghdaigh toirt na dtéacsteachtaireachta 13.8% bliain ar bhliain. I R bhí síntiúis iomlán M2M ag 606,683 ag méadú go 746,803 i R sé sin fás bliantúil 23.1%. I mbealtaine 2017 d fhógair ComReg torthaí dá bhronnadh speictrim 3.6 GHz. Déanta trí cheant 350 Mhz Speictream a shannadh leis an mbronnadh seo. Mhéadaigh an bronnadh an méid speictream comhchuibhithe do sheirbhísí leathanbhanda gan sreanga seasta, fánaithe agus móibíleach. Baileofar leis na ceantanna 78 milliún thar thréimhse bhronnta na gceadúnas. An Tomhaltóir Tá sé de dhualgas reachtúil ar ComReg tomhaltóirí na héireann a chur ar an eolas agus a chosaint agus iad ag ceannach táirgí nó seirbhísí cumarsáide leictreonacha. Tá sé den riachtanas go gcosnaíonn a soláthróirí seirbhíse cearta go léir tomhaltóirí agus muna ndéanann siad amhlaidh tionscnóidh ComReg caingean nuair is gá. Ba cheart go mbeadh rochtain ag tomhaltóiri go léir ar eolas cuí agus soiléir a chuirfear ar a gcumas rogha eolasach a dhéanamh. Príomhaidhm Straitéiseach do ComReg is ea é sin. Le linn na tréimhse bhí timpeall 30,000 saincheist ardaithe ag tomhaltóirí a chuaigh i dteagmháil leo. Baineann na saincheisteanna seo go cothrom idir saincheisteanna maidir le Seirbhís Cumarsáide Leictreonaí (ECS), agus an tseirbhís Ardráta (PRS) agus cineálacha saincheisteanna eile. Ba ghearáin iad 19% de na saincheisteanna go léir a fuair ComReg sa tréimhse. Baineann formhór na saincheisteanna um an tseirbhís Cumarsáide Leictreonaí maidir le clár oibre ComReg le bileáil, Muirir faoi Dhíospóid (lena n-áirítear sonraí), Cúrsaí Conarthacha ar nós Iarratas um Forcheannadh Conartha agus líon éagsúil fochatagóirí Conarthacha agus Saincheisteanna Seirbhíse. Cúrsaí Poist Maidir le rialachán poist, is iad feidhmeanna reachtúla ComReg ná soláthar seirbhís poist uilíoch a chinntiú a chomhlíonann le riachtanais réasúnacha úsáideoirí seirbhíse poist agus a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann soláthróirí seirbhíse poist leis na dualgais atá orthu agus monatóireacht a dhéanamh air sin. Le linn na bliana thug ComReg treorú do An Post mar Sholáthróir Seirbhíse Uilíoch faoin Treoir Cuntasaíochta Tugtar leis sin an faisnéis atá riachtanach do ComReg chun trédhearcacht maidir le costáil agus brabúsacht an tsoláthraí seirbhise uilíoch a chinntiú. Le linn na tréimhse d aisghair an tacht um Rialáil Cumarsáide (Seirbhísí Poist) (Leasú) 2017, Alt 30 den Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide (Seirbhísi Poist) Tá praghasanna seirbhísí poist uilíocha leagtha síos ag An Post anois. Idirnáisiúnta Ball gníomhach is ea ComReg ar an gcomhlacht um Rialtóirí Eorpacha um Chumarsáid Leictreonach (BEREC) agus le linn na tréimhse faoi athbhreithniú ghlac ComReg páirt i naoi ngrúpaí oibre. Ball freisin den Ghrúpa um Beartas Speictream Raidió agus de Chomhdháil Eorpach na Rialachán Poist agus Teileachumarsáide, (CEPT) is ea ComReg. Gerry Fahy Cathaoirleach

96 16 Tomhaltóirí Is é cur chuige straitéiseach foriomlán ComReg i ndáil le tomhaltóirí ná iad a chosaint agus a chur ar an eolas ionas gur féidir leo seirbhísí cumarsáide a roghnú agus a úsáid le muinín. Le linn na tréimhse rinne ComReg roinnt gníomhartha chun a chuid aidhmeanna i ndáil le tomhaltóirí a sheachadadh. Figiúr 12: Aistear Tomhaltóra AISTEAR TOMHALTÓRA Tuiscint Eolas Teagmháil Lascadh Bileáil Gearáin

97 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Ag Cosaint agus ag cur Tomhaltóirí ar an Eolas Iarrann ComReg tomhaltóirí a chumhachtú trí sholáthar eolas cuí agus trédhearcacht a chinntiú fad is ag tairiscint próiseas láimhseála gearán éifeachtach freisin. Iarrann ComReg riachtanais éabhlóideacha tomhaltóirí a thuiscint trí theagmháil a dhéanamh le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla ag úsáid meicníochtaí éagsúla ar nós Líne an Tomhaltóra; ár gclár Rannpháirtíochta Tomhaltóra (lena n-áiritear láithreacht ar líne); Painéal Comhairleach Tomhaltóra ComReg; Ceardlann ComReg ar Chumarsáid Leictreonach do Dhaoine le Míchumas; trí shuirbhéanna ábhartha a dhéanamh agus trí ionchuir a fháil ó eagraíochtaí tomhaltóra lena ndéanaimid dlúth-theagmháil. Cuirtear tomhaltóirí ar an eolas trí eolas inrochtana, soiléir, ábhartha agus tráthúil. Aithníonn ComReg nach mór do thomhaltóirí a bheith ar an eolas go cuí chun roghanna a dhéanamh maidr le cumarsáid leictreonach agus cabhrú leo agus iad ag plé lena soláthróirí seirbhíse rud atá ag teastáil níos mó de réir mar atá iomaíocht ag éirí níos géire. Maidir leis seo tá ComReg ag leanúint ar aghaidh ag nuashonrú mír an tomhaltóra de le heolas ábhartha agus nuacht maidir le seirbhísí cumarsáide a roghnú agus a úsáid. Oibríonn ComReg freisin le tionscal chun a chinntiú go bhfuil eolas cruinn ábhartha ar fáil do thomhaltóirí maidir le tairiscintí margaidh reatha chun cabhrú leo lena gcuid cinntí ceannaigh. Maidir leis seo chuaigh ComReg i mbun pléite le soláthróir tríú páirtí chun uirlís chomparáide luacha nua a fhorbairt. Tugann an uirlís nua feidhmiúlacht mhéadaithe do thomhaltóirí lena n-áirítear an deis comparáid a dhéanamh idir táirgithe margaidh na soláthróirí seirbhíse cumarsáide trí mheánchostas míosúil, costas iomlán lena n-áirítear costas sás láimhe, liúntais agus luas bunaithe ar an eolas a chuireann tomhaltóirí isteach. Tá an-chuid ghnéithe breise lena n-áirítear: an cumas cineál sás láimhe roghnaithe a roghnú agus comparáid a déanamh idir na pacáistí ar fáil, an cumas do bhille a uaslódáil chun d úsáid a ionchur nó chun feidhmchlár a íoslódáil ar d fhón Android a ríomhann d úsáid nó leibhéil úsáide réamhchinntithe a roghnú ar mhaithe le héascacht úsáide. Chun cabhrú le tomhaltóirí a bhfuil ceisteanna acu maidir le muirir PRS atá curtha i bhfeidhm ar a mbille nó aisbhainte óna gcreidmheas, táirgeann ComReg saoráid ar líne freisin chun mionsonraí cúram custaiméara agus mionsonraí eile a sheiceáil do sheirbhísí ardráta go léir comreg. Is féidir le tomhaltóirí ainm agus uimhir na seirbhíse ar a bhfuil muirear gearrtha orthu a chur isteach agus cuirfear ar ais na mionsonraí sin le mionsonraí ar uimhir agus ríomhphost líne chabhrach um sheirbhís custaiméara. Clár Rannpháirtíocht Tomhaltóra Lean ComReg ag leathnú a rochtana i ndáil le rannpháirtíocht tomhaltóra le linn na tréimhse le roinnt feachtas spriosdhírithe chun tomhaltóirí a chur ar an eolas faoina gcearta agus faoin bhfaisnéis a chuireann ComReg ar fáil. Áirítear ina leithéid de thionscnaimh suíomh gréasáin nua ComReg a nuashonrú le hábhar agus feidhmiúlacht nua tomhaltóra, for-rochtain do sheanóirí, láithreacht seó trádála agus feachtas Facebook maidir le tomhaltóirí a chur ar an eolas ar chód cleachtais um ghearáin a láimhseáil. Chomh maith leis sin leanadh le heolairí tomhaltóirí ComReg a scaipeadh le linn na bliana ag cinntiú go raibh bileoga ar fáil i líonra clinicí DG, ionaid sláinte agus oispidéil ar fud na tíre.

98 18 Figiúr 13: Foireann Rannpháirtíochta ComReg ag freastal ar sheó os Cionn 50idí san RDS, Baile Átha Cliath. cuireadh Seirbhís Sealaíochta Téacs breisithe i bhfeidhm. Ní mór do gach soláthraí seirbhíse le níos mó ná 100,000 rannpháirtithe Seirbhís Sealaíochta Téacs (TRS) breisithe a thairiscint. Seirbhís neodrach teicneolaíochta is ea an tseirbhís atá ar fáil le húsáid leis na gairis seo a leanas: Mimicom, líne sheasta, móibíleach, ríomhaire pearsanta, táibléad nó gaireas leictreonach coibhéiseach eile. Ag Cinntiú go bpléann Soláthróirí na Seirbhíse Cumarsáide Leictreonaí (ECS) agus na Seirbhísí Ardráta (PRS) go cothrom le Custaiméirí Cosaint d Úsáideoirí Leochaileacha Le linn na tréimhse faoi athbhreithniú bhí dhá chruinniú ag ComrReg dá Cheardlann Mhíchumais ar Chumarsáid Leictreonach do Dhaoine faoi Mhíchumas. Tá ballraíocht lucht freastail ag gach Ceardlann roghnaithe chun a chinntiú gur féidir leo siúd atá ag freastal (lena n-áirítear soláthróirí seirbhíse agus comhlachtaí ag seasamh do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas) cur le taithí agus dea-chleachtas araon agus a chinntiú go bhfuil eolas agus freagracht ag lucht freastail maidir leis an topaic atáthar ag díriú air. I R ba é téama ComReg ná Eolas Inrochtana agus bhí an fócas ar shuíomhanna gréasáin inrochtana. I R1,2017 ba é an príomhtopaic Ceardlainne ná An tsaoráid do rannpháirtithe faoi mhíchumas riachtanais a chlárú agus pléadh fiosrúcháin eolaire inrochtana agus saoráidí breisiú creidmheasa inrochtana freisin. Ag leanúint ar Chinneadh ComReg ar Sheirbhísí Sealaíochta Téacs, 5 a bhí éifeachtach ó R2, 2016 Tuigeann ComReg tábhacht meicníochtaí sásaimh éifeachtacha in ionad chun muinín a chothú i dtomhaltóirí. Leis sin i gceist tá a chuid oibre á leanúint ar aghaidh ag ComReg chun feahas a chur ar an gcaoi a láimhseálann soláthróirí seirhísí gearáin. Cód Cleachtais um Láimhseáil Gearán Chuaigh ComReg i gcomhairle agus rinne cinneadh faoi roinnt íosriachtanas do Chód Cleachtais Soláthróirí Seirbhíse chun gearáin a láimhseáil le bearta le teacht i bhfeidhm ón 1 Eanáir Leis an an gcinneadh déanfar deimhin de go mbeidh níos mó trédhearcachta, cinnteachta agus cáilíochta nósanna imeachta ina láimhseálann soláthróirí seirbhíse gearáin agus beidh sásamh níos mó mar thoradh air sin do thomhaltóirí a bhfuil gearáin acu. Teagmhálacha Tomhaltóra do ComReg Leanann ComReg ag cur seirbhís láimhseála gearán ar fáil do thomhaltóirí. Féadfaidh tomhaltóirí teagmháil a dhéanamh le Líne Thomhaltóra ComReg trí na cainéil seo a leanas - teileafón, ríomhphost, foirm ghearán ar líne, litir agus comhrá gréasáin. Chomh maith leis sin tá an rogha ag tomhaltóirí seirbhís 5 Doiciméad ComReg 15/143 D09/ Doiciméad ComReg 17/62 D04/17

99 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil gearrtheachtaireachta (SMS) (téacs) a sheoladh 7 leis na focail ComREg nó AskComReg go chun glao ar ais a fháil nó téacs seirbhís gearrtheachtaireachta (SMS) ar ais ó dhuine de na gníomhaithe. Tá seirbhís glao ar ais ar fáil freisin do na glaoiteóirí sin atá ag feitheamh ar an bhfón ar feadh níos mó ná 20 soicind. Le linn na bliana freagraíodh 80.1% de ghlaonna go léir go Líne Thomhaltóra ComReg laistigh de 20 soicind. I 2017 sheol ComReg Seirbhís do thomhaltóirí freisin ar mhian leo teagmháil a dhéanamh lenár Líne Thomhaltóra ag úsáid Teanga Chomharthaíochta na héireann. Leanann ComReg ag foilsiú staitisticí ráithiúla maidir le saincheisteanna ardaithe ag tomhaltóirí a rinne teagmháil lenár Líne Thomhaltóra. Le linn na tréimhse Iúil 2016 go Meitheamh 2017 bhí timpeall 30,000 saincheist faoina ndearna tomhaltóirí teagmháil linn. Sna saincheisteanna seo bhí saincheisteanna faoin tseirbhís Cumarsáide Leictreonaí (ECS), saincheisteanna faoin tseirbhís Ardráta (PRS) agus cineálacha saincheisteanna eile. Bhain timpeall 14,000 de na saincheisteanna iomlán le saincheisteanna cumarsáide leictreonacha agus timpeall 14,000 eile ag baint le saincheisteanna faoin tseirbhís ardráta. Gearáín ab ea 19% de na saincheisteanna go léir a tógadh le ComReg sa tréimhse. Tomhaltóirí gnó a thóg 1,441 de na saincheisteanna iomlána agus bhain siad den chuid is mó le saincheisteanna seirbhíse (lena n-áirítear caillteanas seirbhíse agus clúdach móibíleach), bileáil (lena n-áirítear muirir faoi dhíospóid), cúrsaí conartha agus lascadh agus inaistritheacht uimhreach. Comhlíonadh agus Forfheidhmiú Aithníonn ComReg an tábhacht a chinntiú go nginntear cultúr comhlíonta ionas go seasann soláthróirí seirbhísí le cearta tomhaltóirí. Tá comhlíonadh agus forfheidhmiú éifeachtach, tábhachtach chun é sin a bhaint amach. Maidir le cearta tomhaltóra, déanann ComReg monatóireacht ar chomhlíonadh soláthróirí le Seirbhíse Ardráta agus le Seirbhís Cumarsáide Leictreonaí le dualgais ábhartha lena n-áirítear Cód Cleachtais na Seirbhíse Ardráta, na Rialacháin um an tseirbhís Uilioch 8 agus Cinntí bainteacha ComReg, na Rialacháin Fánaíochta 9 Rialacháin na dtéarmaí Conartha Neamhchothroma 10 agus Rialacháin um Chealú agus Faisnéise Tomhaltóra 11. Tá comhaontas comhoibríoch ag ComReg leis an gcoimisiún um Iomaíocht agus Cosaint Tomhaltóirí. Tógtar formhór na ngearán maidir le clár oibre ComReg i ndáil le Bileáil, Muirir faoi Dhíoispóid (lena n-áirítear sonraí), Cúrsaí Conartha ar nós Iarratas Críochnú Conartha agus líon éagsúil fochatagóirí Conartha agus Saincheisteanna Seirbhíse (lena mbaineann 50% díobh le caillteanas seirbhíse agus Clúdach Móibíleach). Baineann an chuid is mó de shaincheisteanna a thógtar le suíomhanna ina ndiúltaíonn tomhaltóirí go bhfuil teagmháil déanta acu leis an tseirbhís Ardráta (PRS) nó ina ndéanann an tomhaltóir díospóid faoi mhuirear na Seirbhíse ArdRáta (PRS) i gceist. 7 Seirbhís gearrtheachtaireachta 8 Rialacháin um Chearta Úsáideoirí Chomhphobail Eorpacha (Seirbhísí agus Líonraí Cumarsáide Leictreonacha) Rialacháin I.R. 228/2013 Cumarsáid (Fánaíocht Móibíleach, Teileafóin) 2013 RIALACHÁN (AE) Uimh. 531/2012 ó PHARLAIMINT NA heorpa AGUS ón gcomhairle an 13 Meitheamh 2012 maidir le fánaíocht ar chumarsáid mhóibíleach phoiblí laistigh den Aontas. Rialacháin I. R. Uimh. 240/2017 Chumarsáide (Fánaíocht Mhóibíleach, Teileafóin) Rialacháin 2013 (Leasú) Rialacháin i..r. 27/1995 Comhphobail Eorpacha ( Téarmaí Neamhchothroma) i gconarthaí Tomhaltóirí), 1995 Rialacháin I.R 336/2014 Comhphobail Eorpacha (Téarmaí Míchothromh i gconarthaí Tomhaltóirí) (Leasú) Rialacháin I.R. Uimh. 160/ Comhphobail Eorpacha (Téarmaí Míchothroma i gconarthaí Tomhaltóirí) (leasú) Rialacháin I.R.. Uimh. 484/2013 Aontas Eorpach (Faisnéis, Cealú agus Cearta eile Tomhaltóirí) 2013 Rialacháin I.R. Uimh. 250/2014 Aontas Eorpach (Faisnéis, Cealú agus Cearta Eile Tomhaltóirí)(Leasú) 2014

100 20 Cásanna Comhlíonta agus Cinntí ComReg In Iúil 2016 ghearr ComReg píonós 255,000 ar Virgin Media i bhfoirm Fógraí Íocaíochta Seasta de bhun Alt 85 den Acht um Chosaint Tomhaltóirí Tháinig sé seo tar éis do ComReg fiosrú a dhéanamh trínar léiríodh gur theip ar Virgin Media conradh a thabhairt do 26,046 dá chustaiméirí ar mhéan marthanach in aghaidh Rialachán 12 de Rialacháin Tomhaltóirí (Faisnéis agus Cealú) Ar an 6 Deireadh Fómhair 2016 d eisigh ComReg Fógra Neamhchomhlionta do Thrí. Fuair ComReg amach, maidir le líon Fógraí Athraithe Chonartha, gur theip ar Thrí comhlíonadh le Rialachán 14 (4) de na Rialacháin um an tseirbhís Uilíoch agus le Cinneadh ComReg C13/12 agus go háirithe theip ar ComReg comhairle a thabhairt do chustaiméirí maidir lena gceart conarthaí a chríochnú gan phíonós laistigh de mhí de bhun athruithe leo agus mainneachtain Thrí faisnéis iomlán a chur ar fáil ar na hathruithe sa chonradh. Ina dhiaidh sin, chuir Trí in iúl do ComReg gur leasaíodh an neamhchomhlionadh agus go raibh próisis iomlána in ionad acu chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfaí a bhfógraí Athraithe Chonartha as sin amach. Tháinig ComReg ar an gcinneadh go raibh Neamhchomhlionadh déanta ach de bharr gníomhaíocht feabhais curtha i bhfeidhm socraíodh gan caingean breise i ndáil leis seo a thabhairt. Ar an 11 Samhain 2016 d eisigh ComReg Fógra Neamhchomhlíonta do Virgin Media. Fuair ComReg amach maidir le roinnt Fógraí Athraithe Chonartha gur theip ar Virgin Media comhlíonadh le Rialachán 14 (4) de na Rialacháin um an tseirbhís Uilíoch agus le Cinneadh ComReg C13/12 agus go háirithe gur chuir Virgin Media ábhar marcála go míchuí i gcorp na bhfógraí Athraithe Chonartha. Ar an 27 Márta 2017 d eisigh ComReg Fógra neamhchomhlíonta do Thrí. Tháinig ComReg ar an gcinneadh maidir le Fógraí Athraithe Chonartha arna n-eisiúint ag Trí in ullmhú d athruithe i bhpraghsáil agus i dtéarmaí conartha eile, gur theip ar Thrí comhlíonadh le Rialachán 14 de na Rialacháin um an tseirbhís Uilíoch agus le Cinneadh ComReg C13/12. Bhí an neamhchomhlíonadh i gceist go háirithe de bhrí gur theip ar Thrí a chustaiméirí a chomhairliú i gceart ar nádúr na n-athruithe conartha molta agus ceart custaiméirí a éascú go cuí teacht amach óna gconarthaí gan phíonós laistigh de mhí amháin tar éis fógra a fháil ar na hathruithe conarthacha molta. Ar an 25 Bealtaine 2017 d eisigh ComReg Fógraí Neamhchomhlíonta do Vodafone, Eircom Teo., agus Sky Éireann. Fuair ComReg amach maidir le roinnt Fógraí Athraithe Chonartha, gur theip ar na trí ghnóthas go léir comhlíonadh le Rialachán 14 (4) agus (5) de na Rialacháin um an tseirbhís Uilíoch agus le Cinneadh ComReg C13/12 agus go háirithe chuir na trí ghnóthas go léir ábhar margaíochta i gcorp Fógraí Athraithe Chonartha. Bileáil/Lascadh Ar an 27 Márta 2017 d eisigh ComReg Fógra Neamhchomhlíonta do Thrí. Fuair ComReg amach maidir le coinníollacha agus nósanna imeachta um chríochnú conartha curtha in ionad ag Trí i ndáil leis na hathruithe conartha molta, gur theip ar Thrí comhlíonnadh le Rialacháin 25 (6) (b) de Rialacháin um an tseirbhís Uilíoch agus go háirithe theip ar Thrí a chinntiú nár ghníomhaigh a choinníollacha agus nósanna imeachta um chríochnú conartha mar dídhreasú do thomhaltóir athrú go soláthróir seirbhíse eile. Ar an 27 Márta chuala an Chúirt Dúiche Baile Átha Cliath cás tógtha ag ComReg i gcoinne Eircom Teo., maidir le haistriú seirbhísí teileafóin chustaiméara go Eircom Teo., maidir le trí shuíomh. Líomhain ComReg gur theip ar Eircom Teo., plé leis an ábhar i gceart a raibh mar thoradh air an custaiméar a bheith gan seirbhís teileafóin ar feadh trí seachtaine le ceann amháin de na suíomhanna custaiméara gan seirbhís ar feadh ocht seachtaine agus go raibh uimhreacha teileafóin chustaiméara ag dhá shuíomh athraithe go neamhriachtanach: iad go léir i gcodarsnacht le Rialachán 25 den Acht Rialacháin Chumarsáide Líomhain ComReg freisin go bhfuair an custaiméar billí do dhá chuntas Eircom ar shuíomh amháin (bileáil dhúbailte) i gcodarsnacht le Alt 45 den Acht.

101 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report D fhorchuir an Chúirt ciontuithe coiriúla maidir le gach ceann de 7 gcúiseamh agus d ordaigh d Eircom Teo., 16,500 san iomlán a íoc i bhfíneálacha. Forfheidhmiú Seirbhísí Ardráta D fhiosraigh ComReg Seirbhís Ardráta AppMob curtha ar fáil ag Zamano de réir Alt 9 den Acht um Sheirbhísí Ardráta agus Alt 10 den Acht Rialachán Cumarsáide. Fuair ComReg amach nach raibh Seirbhísí Ardráta AppMob Zamano ag comhlíonadh leis na forálacha ábhartha den Chód Cleachtais lena n-áirítear forálacha a bhain le faisnéis nach mór a chur ar fáil d úsáideoirí deiridh sula dtabhaíonn siad aon mhuirir agus go raibh aon úsáideoir deiridh a raibh páirteach in aon promóisean do AppMob Zamano curtha isteach sa tseirbhís Ardráta gan toilliú nó eolas acu roimh ré. B amhlaidh é seo mar gur theip ar an bpromóisean eolas faoi phraghsáil agus aon mhionsonrai ábhair eile a bhain leis an tseirbhís Ardráta a cheadódh d úsáideoirí deiridh cinneadh trasghníomhaíochta eolasach a dhéanamh, cuireadh custaiméirí a d fhreagair don promóisean amú dul isteach sa tseirbhís agus ina dhiaidh sin tabhaíodh muirir orthu. Bhí ar Zamano an neamhchomhlíonadh a réiteach maidir le sáruithe an Chóid agus úsáideoirí deiridh a ndearnadh dochar dóibh a chúiteamh. Rialachán Fánaíochta De réir feidhm reachtúil leanann ComReg le monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chomhlachtaí móibíleacha Éireannacha, i ndáil leis an Rialachán Fánaíochta a chur i bhfeidhm. Ar an 15 Meitheamh 2017 tugadh isteach rialacha nua ar úsáid d fhón móibíleach agus tú ag taisteal laistigh de Cheantar Eacnamaíoch na héorpa (EEA) sé sin an taontas Eorpach, Iorua, an Íoslainn agus an Lichtenstein. Ar an 16 Meitheamh d fhoilsigh Comreg Fógra Faisnéise, (ComReg 17/55r) ina bhfuil achoimre ar na muirir nua Rome Like At Home (RLAH) 12. Chun feasacht agus trédhearcacht a chur chun cinn a thuilleadh 12 Doiciméad ComReg 17/55r do thomhaltóirí agus iad ag fánaíocht, cuireann suíomh gréasáin ComReg eolas ar fáil ar fhánaíocht mhóibíleach, treoir um fhánaíocht mhóibíleach agus eolas ar RLAH a chur i bhfeidhm. Gearrtar muirear de réir an phraghais mhíondíola sa bhaile ar chustaiméirí as fón móibíleach a úsáid fad is atá siad ag taisteal - déantar tagairt dó sin mar as Rome Like At Home (RLAH). Má tá seirbhísí cuachta ceannaithe ag custaiméar móibíleach (praghasphleananna ag a bhfuil liúntais sonraí, téacs agus glao) tá aon úsáid fánaíochta laghdaithe ón gcuachta baile sin. Má úsáidtear suas an liúntas cuachta go léir ansin is é an Praghas Baile an gnáthphraghas a íoctar sa bhaile ar úsáid as cuachta an praghas a ghearrtar. Roimh Mheitheamh ceadaíodh do sholáthróirí seirbhíse fánaíochta muirear breise a fhorchur os cionn an praghais bhaile (fomhuirear) as úsáid fánaíochta mhiondíola. Le tabhairt isteach RLAH ní féidir le soláthróirí seirbhíse níos mó a ghearradh ná mar a bheadh gearrtha dá mbeadh an custaiméar ag úsáid na seirbhíse seo ina thír féin sé sin an praghas baile. Mar sin féin tá eisceachtaí ann. Áirítear orthu sin an cumas beartas úsáid chothrom a chur i bhfeidhm do shonraí, bearta frithmhí-úsáide agus forálacha inbhuanaitheacha. Chomh maith leis sin tá bearta trédhearcachta i bhfeidhm a chabhróidh le custaiméirí fánaíochta a gcuid úsáide agus a gcostais a bhainistiú. Sonraí Is féidir le tomhaltóirí na liúntais iomlána atá acu sa bhaile a úsáid do ghuthghlaonna agus téacsanna. Mar sin féin i roinnt cásanna is féidir le soláthróirí seirbhíse beartas úsáid chothrom a chur i bhfeidhm ar úsáid sonraí a chuireann teorainn leis an méid sonraí gur féidir leat a úsáid as do chuachta baile fad is ag fánaíocht. Cinntítear na teorainneacha seo má chuireann soláthróirí seirbhíse fánaíochta iad i bhfeidhm de réir an chineáil chonartha (iaríocaíocht nó réamhíocaíocht) agus an liúntas sonraí atá agat. Tá foirmle lena mheastar má tá beartas úsáid chothrom i bhfeidhm ar do liúntas sonraí agus tá sé sin ar fáil ar shuíomh ghréasáin ComReg. Ba chóir go mbeadh gach tomhaltóir feasach ar aon teorainneacha sonraí

102 22 a bhaineann fad is ag fánaíocht mar tá cásanna éagsúla ann lena mbaineann ríomhanna éagsúla chun teorainneacha sonraí a chinntiú. Molann ComReg do thomhaltóirí dul i dteagmháil lena n-oibritheoir go díreach sula dtaistilíonn siad chun deimhin a dhéanamh den liúntas agus/nó Beartais Úsáid Chothrom (FUP) a d fhéadfadh a bheith i bhfeidhm. Trédhearcacht Leanann tomhaltóirí atá ag fánaíocht le teachtaireacht phearsantaithe SMS a fháil tar éis dul i dtír i gceantar Eacnamaíochta eile na heorpa (EEA). Sa teachtaireacht seo tá mionsonraí ar nós praghais ghlaonna a dhéanamh agus a fháil (seachas CBL), SMS a sheoladh agus aon bheartas úsáide agus muirir sa bhreis ar theorainneacha agus formhuirir, uimhir fóin saor in aisce le haghaidh níos mó eolais agus uimhir na seirbhísi éigeandála. Faigheann tomhaltóirí a bhíonn ag fánaíocht forláireamh nuair a bhíonn an teorainn airgeadais 50 (seachas CBL) sroichte. Tá an teorainn airgeadais nó toirte ar ídiú fánaíochta sonraí 50 (seachas CBB) do thréimhse bhileála in aghaidh na míosa. Iarrtar ar thomhaltóirí ansin a chinntiú más mian leo leanúint ar agaidh ag úsáid sonraí. Chomh maith leis sin tá an ceart ag tomhaltóirí eolas níos mionsonraithe a iarraidh agus a fháil saor in aisce óna soláthróir seirbhíse fánaíochta ó áit ar bith i gceantar Eacnamaíochta na héorpa. Seirbhís Freagartha Glaonna Éigeandála Tá ComReg freagrach go reachtúil as monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht seirbhíse soláthróir na Seirbhíse Freagartha Glaonna Éigeandála (ECAS) agus as athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar Tháille Láimhseála Glaonna (CHF) a d fhéadfadh soláthróir na Seirbhíse Freagartha Glaonna Éigeandála (ECAS) a ghearradh. Leanann an tseirbhís ag feidhmiú go dtí na sonraíochtaí cáilíochta leagtha síos ag an Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaíochta ar son na haeráide agus Comhshaoil sa bhunchonradh 2009 leis an soláthróir seirbhíse. In Eanáir 2017 chinntigh ComReg tar éis athbhreithnithe ar na costais a tabhaíodh ag soláthróir na Seirbhíse Freagartha Glaonna Éigeandála (ECAS) chun an uas-táille Láimhseála Glaonna 3.95 a choinneáil in aghaidh an ghlao don tréimhse 12 Feabhra 2017 go dtí 11 Feabhra Níl muirear gearrtha ar an tomhaltóir ar ghlaonna go 999 nó 112 de bhrí go bhfuil an costas sin á íoc ag an líonra teileachumarsáide tíolactha. Seirbhís Uilíoch do Chumarsáid Leictreonach Gné lárnach dár gcuid oibre ar chosaint an tomhaltóra is ea a chinntiú go bhfuil seirbhís cumarsáide leictreonaí uilíche ar fáil. In Iúil 2016 tar éis sraith chomhairliúchán poiblí sannadh Eircom Teo. mar Sholáthróir Seirbhíse Uilíoch de réir Rialachán na gcomhphobal Eorpacha (Seirbhísí agus Líonraí Cumarsáide Leictreonacha) (Seiirbhís Uilioch agus Cearta Úsáideoirí) 2011, chun rochtain a chur ar fáil ag Suíomh Seasta ar feadh cúig bliana go dtí 30 Meitheamh 2021 (D05/16). 13 Cáilíocht Seirbhíse Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Uilíche (USO) I bhfeabhra shonraigh ComReg spriocanna feidhmiúlachta um cháiliocht seirbhíse bliantúla maidir le gnéithe áirithe den tseirbhis uilíoch a sholáthar i D03/17. Agus na spriocanna seo á leagan síos bhí aird ag ComReg ar na prionsabail seo a leanas:- Ba chóir go mbeadh sé mar aidhm ag na spriocanna leasa na n-úsáideoirí deiridh a chothromú le infheistíocht éifeachtúil a chur chun cinn. Ba chóir go gceadódh na spriocanna d Eircom Teo., solúbacht a bheith acu infheistíocht (i líonraí reatha agus nua) agus coigeartú caiteachais a chomhardú mar a mheasann sé a bheith cuí chun a spriocanna a chomhlíonadh. 13 Cinneadh ComReg D05/16, Eircom Teo.,. Achomharctha chuig an Ard-Chúirt ar an 8 Márta 2017, scriosadh amach na himeachtaí gan aon ordú maidir le costais

103 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Ba chóir go mbeadh impleachtaí agus costas eile d Eircom Teo., comhréireach. Thug ComReg sprioc nua infhaighteacht seirbhise isteach ina bhfuil cumasc den dá mheadracht roimhe seo le chéile eadhon tarlú lochta agus deisiú lochta 14. Chomh maith leis sin thug ComReg spriocanna bliantúla náisiúnta agus fonáisiúnta isteach ar infhaighteacht seirbhíse agus naisc araon. Tá na bearta cáilíochta seirbhíse seo éifeachtach ó 2 Feabhra 2017 go dtí 31 Nollaig Seirbhís Uilíoch Cáilíocht Seirbhíse Comhlíonadh agus Forfheidhmiú Rinne ComReg measúnú ar chomhlíonadh Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Uilíche (USO) Eircom Teo.,i gcoinne spriocanna sonraithe in ComReg D02/08 ón 1 Eanáir 2016 go dtí 31 Nollaig 2016 maidir le hamscálaí le haghaidh nasctha, deisiú lochta agus tárlú ráta lochta. D fhoilsigh ComReg Fógraí Faisnéise ag léiriú feidhmíochta um Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Uilíche (USO) Eircom Teo., ar bhonn ráitiúla. Foilsíodh Sonraí Feidhmíochta do Ráithe agus Bliantúil 2016 ar an 12 Meitheamh 2017 in ComReg 17/54. In Aibreán 2017 d íoc Eircom Teo., 1,525,000 do ComReg as teip air comhlíonadh le dualgais feidhmíochta um cháilíocht seirbhíse den Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Uilíche (USO) ag éirí as ComReg D02/08 do Costas Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Uilíche (USO) I mbealtaine 2011 i ndiaidh próiseas comhairliúcháin d eisigh ComReg Doiciméad D04/11 maidir le prionsabail agus modheolaíochtaí glanchostas a bhunú chun seirbhís uilíoch a chur ar fáil. Thug an cinneadh an bunús ar a ríomhtar glanchostas na seirbhíse uilíche a chur ar fáil agus cuirfidh ar cumas Comreg a chinntiú má tá an glanchostas, más ann, ina ualach neamhchothrom ar an tseirbhís uilíoch. Tá ComReg ag ullmhú chun próiseas comhairliúcháin a thosú (i R ) ar mheasúnú iarratais Eircom Teo., le haghaidh maoinithe do na tréimhsí , , , ; , agus a chuir Eircom Teo., isteach arís idir Meán Fómhair 2014 agus Márta Tá cinneadh déanta ag ComReg an sprioc seo a chur in iúl i dtéarmaí éaradh seirbhíse uasmhéid laethanta oibre in aghaidh na líne in ionad mar luach chéadatáin 15 Doiciméad ComReg D04/11

104 24 Comórtas Le linn na tuarascála seo bhí roinnt forbairtí tábhachtacha ann. Mhéadaigh comórtas idir soláthróiri seirbhíse agus lean sciar an mhargaidh d oibritheoirí malartacha ag méadú. Rinne ComReg cinntí a bhain le praghsáil réimse tairgí rochtana mórdhíola Eircom Teo., rátaí um chríochnaithe mhóibíligh agus anailís ar mhargaidh trasdula agus bunsamhaltú glao seasta mhórdhíola. Figiúr 14: Rialachán chun Iomaíocht a Chur Chun Cinn Ag Rialú chun Iomaíocht a Cur Chun Cinn Ag Déanamh Monatóireachta ar Mhargaidh Idirghabháil Sprioctha Ag Éascú Iomaíochta

105 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Treochtaí Miondíola Bhí ioncam miondíola iomlán de bhilliún suas sa dá mhí dhéag go Meitheamh 2017 ó sa bhreis is bhilliún thar an 12 mhí roimhe sin. Le linn na tréimhse laghdaigh sciar miondíola d ioncaim sheasta Eircom Teo., 1.1% thar an mbliain go 48.1% de na hioncaim mhiondíola líne sheasta foriomláin. Bhí 1,685,369 síntiús leathanbhanda (seasta agus móibíleach) ann, méadú 0.3% i gcomparáid le Meitheamh D fhás síntiúis leathanbhanda sheasta go 1,379,049, méadú 3.6% thar an 12 mhí roimhe sin. Mhéadaigh treá teaghlaigh leathanbhanda sheasta ó 67.9% go 70.09$. De réir sonraí Eurostat 16 ba é ráta treáite leathanbhanda móibíleach agus seasta teaghlaigh na héireann ná 86% ag deireadh 2016 i gcomparáid le meánráta treáite teaghlaigh AE de 83%. Ba é sciar miondíola de mhargadh leathanbhanda seasta Eircom Teo., ag deireadh Mheitheamh 2016 ná 32.2% i dtéarmaí líon rannpháirtithe, titim 1.5 pointí céadatáin i gcomparáid leis an mbliain roimhe sin. Laghdaigh sciar Virgin Media ó 27.4% go 26.7% sa tréimhse sin. Sholáthraigh oibritheoirí eile timpeall 35.9% de shíntiúis leathanbhanda seasta ag úsáid táirgí sruth giotán mórdhíola, Díchuachadh na Lúibe Logánta (DLL) agus Rochtain Díchuachta Fíorúil Eircom Teo. An Chéad Ghlúin eile Leathanbhanda agus Rochtana Ó Mheitheamh 2017 bhí timpeall 1.7m áitreabh ceadaithe ag líonraí Eircom um Rochtain na Chéad Ghlúine Eile (NGA) lena n-áirítear teicneolaíochtaí bunaithe cábla snátoptaice go colbha (FTTC) agus cábla snáthoptaice go háitreabh (FTTC). Bhí 551k rannpháirtithe san iomlán ag úsáid na seirbhísí seo. Díobh seo chuir Miondíol Eircom 48.1% ar fáil fad is a chuir Oibritheoirí eile 51.9% ar fáil ag úsáid tachar táirge na Chéad Ghlúine Eile (NGA) mórdíola de chuid Eircom Teo. Lean Virgin Media le bheith ina ghníomhaí suntasach sa mhargadh, ag fógrú luasanna iartheachtacha os cionn 300Mbps. De réir torthaí poiblí 17 bhí líonraí Virgin Media seolta i 822,700 teaghlach agus áitreabh ag an 30 Meitheamh Bhí 366,100 rannpháirtithe leathanbhanda aige ag an dáta sin sé sin 27.4% den mhargadh leathanbhanda seasta. Bhí SIRO, comhfhiontar idir BSL agus Vodafone, ag rolladh amach cábla snáthoptaice go teaghlaigh agus gnónna freisin i roinnt bailte móra roghnaithe trasna na tíre. Leanadh le méadú meánluasanna leathanbhanda seasta. I Meitheamh 2017 bhí timpeall 80% de shíntiúis leathanbhanda seasta go léir comhionann nó níos mó ná 10Mbps,suas ó 75% i Meitheamh 2016, fad is ag deireadh na tréimhse athbhreithnithe seo bhí 69.1% de shíntiúis leathanbhanda seasta go léir comhionann nó níos mó ná 30Mbps suas ó 60.1% i R Mhéadaigh síntiúis leathanbhanda seasta mhiondíola iomlána ó 1.33m i Meitheamh 2016 go 1.39m i Meitheamh Díobh sin chuir Miondíol Eircom 32.2% ar fáil (síos ó 33.7% i R2 2016); 26.7% ag Virgin Media, timpeall 19.3% ag Vodafone, timpeall 12.2% ag Sky agus 9.6% ag na hoibritheoirí eile. Tá na seirbhísí leathanbhanda miondíola curtha ar fáil ag Vodafone, Sky agus oibritheoirí (seachas Eircom Teo., agus Virgin Media) cumasaithe ag a leithéad d oibritheoirí ag úsáid táirgí mórdhíola ar nós táirgí Shruth Giotán agus Rochtain Díchuachta Fíorúil (VUA) isoc_ci_ it_h isoc_ci_ it_h.

106 26 Anailís ar an Margadh In Éirinn cinntear scóip agus nádúr rialacháin teileachumarsáide trí phróiseas leagtha amach i ndlí na heorpa ar a dtugtar anailís ar an margadh. Mar chuid den phróiseas ní mór do ComReg ar an gcéad dul síos na margaidh a d fhéadfadh a bheith laistigh de scóip rialacháin a shainmhíniú agus aird aige ar liosta margaidh mholta foilsithe ag Coimisiún na heorpa. Agus an margadh ábhartha sainmhínithe, ní mór do ComReg measúnú a dhéanamh ar cibé an bhfuil aon chuideachta nó cuideachtaí i gcomhpháirt nó go leithleach go ceannasach laistigh den mhargadh nó nach bhfuil. Mar mheasúnú deiridh má tá oibritheoir ceannasach ann ní mór dó réiteach amháin ar a laghad a chur i bhfeidhm chun éifeacht na ceannasachta seo a mhaolú bunaithe ar liosta leagtha amach sa reachtaíocht. Mar shampla féadfaidh oibritheoir ceannasach a bheith ag teastáil ó ComReg chun a líonra a oscailt suas d iomaitheoirí ag an leibhéal mórdhíola. Go praiticiúil tá an-chuid is mó de rialachán teileachumarsáide dírithe ar an leibhéal mórdhíola; ag an 30 Meitheamh 2017 ní raibh ach margadh amháin miondíola faoi réir rialacháin - an margadh um rochtain mhiondíola ar an líonra teileafóin phoiblí ag suíomh seasta (cíos líne). Ag leanúint ar chomhairliúcháin níos luaithe, in Iúil 2015 d fhoilsigh ComReg a chinneadh 18 maidir lena anailís ar mhargaidh tionscanta ghlao agus rochtain sheasta mhódhíola (FACO) agus an margadh trasdula guthghlao. Ag éirí as an athbhreithniú margaidh seo sainíodh Eircom Teo., as Cumhacht Suntasach sa Mhargadh (SMP) a bheith aige sa mhargadh tionscanta ghlao agus rochtain sheasta (FACO) agus tá dualgais éagsúla curtha air chun i measc nithe eile, Cíos Líne Miondíola agus seirbhísí tionscanta ghlao a chur ar fáil d oibritheoirí eile. Bhain ComReg rialacháin go léir freisin ón margadh trasdula ghuthghlao mar aithníodh go raibh siad iomaíoch. Thosaigh ComReg a chuid anailíse freisin ar roinnt mhargadh mórdhíola lena n-áirítear na margaidh mhórdhíola do: 1. Rochtain Ardcháilíochta (HQA): seirbhísí leathanbhanda siméadracha ardluais mhórdhíola a úsáidtear mar ionchuir chun seirbhísí leathanbhanda miondíola/iartheachtacha a chur ar fáil do ghnónna meánmhéide agus móra chomh maith lena n-úsáid ag soláthróirí seirbhíse chun teorainneacha dá líonraí a leathnú. D eisigh ComReg a chomhairliúchán ar Rochtain Ardcháilíochta (HQA) i Lúnasa 2016 leis an athbhreithniú ar siúl go leanúnach. 2. Rochtain Logánta Mhiórdhíola (WLA) agus Rochtain Lárnach Mhórdhíola (WCA): dhá mhargadh logánta a úsáidtear mar ionchuir chun leathanbhanda miondíola/iartheachtach agus seirbhísí teileafónaíochta (i measc cuid eile) a chur ar fáil. D eisigh ComReg a chomhairliúchán ar Rochtain Logánta Mhórdhíola/Rochtain Lárnach Mhórdhíola i Samhain 2016 le hathbhreithniú leanúnach ar siúl. 3. Críochnú Guthghlao Seasta (FVCT) agus Críochnú Guthghlao Móibíleach (MVCT): dhá mhargadh mhórdhíola lena mbaineann críochnú glaonna ar líonraí páirtithe glaoite. Obair ullmhúcháin ar anailís um Chríochnú Guthghlao Seasta (FVCT) agus Críochnú Guthghlao Móibíleach (MVCT) leanúnach ar siúl. Tá ComReg an-ghnóthach ag bailiú faisnéise ó sholathróirí seirbhíse ag úsáid a chumhachtaí um faisnéis reachtúil a bhailiú. 18 Doiciméad ComReg 15/87 D05/15

107 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Saincheisteanna Comhlíonta um an Margadh Seasta Le linn na tréimhse rinne ComReg athbhreithniú ar shamhail Rialachas Rialála Eircom (eir) Teo. Thosaigh Céim 2 den athbhreithniú i Meán Fómhair 2016 agus críochnaíodh é i Marta Fuair ComReg dréachttuarascálacha óna Chomhairleoirí le breathnú ar an ábhar agus an foilsiúchán. Seachas sin tá ComReg ag tabhairt faoi fhadhbanna leanúnacha maidir leis an gcaoi ina bhfuil Eircom Teo.ag comhlíonadh lena dhualgais rialála. Tá imeachtaí cúirte tionscanta aige i gcoinne Eircom Teo., maidir le cúig thorthaí um sháruithe dá dhualgais rialála thar an tréimhse ó Iúil 2011 go Iúil Bhí roinnt fiosrúchán eile leanúnach freisin lena n-áirítear fiosrúcháin a bhaineann le cúrsaí pléite i dtuarascálacha na gcomhairleoirí. Comhlíonadh Clúdaíonn an mhír seo fiosrúcháin ar sháruithe dualgais rialála ag oibritheoirí de chuid telecom, teagmhais a bhaineann le mí-úsáid uimhreacha Éireannacha agus tuairiscí ar theagmhais líonra shuntasacha. Nuair atáthar ag plé le cás fiosrúcháin dualgais rialála féadfar teacht ar chinneadh go raibh neamhchomhlíonadh nó íocaíocht riaracháin i gceist ag an oibritheoir, imeachtaí cúirte nó cás a dhúnadh i gcás nach n-aithnítear aon tsaincheist nó dúnadh tar éis feabhsúcháin oibritheora sa chás go measann ComReg nach bhfuil aon chaingean eile riachtanach. Le linn na tréimhse seo áiríodh i ngníomhaíochtaí comhlíonta telecom ComReg: Comhlíonadh rialála: chás oscailte cás oscalte gcás leanúnacha M-úsáid uimhreacha Éireannacha: chás oscailte cás dúnta Tuairiscí um theagmhas líonra: theagmhas tuairiscithe Bainteach leis na cásanna comhlíonta rialála, rinne ComReg 23 fhosrúchán gníomhacha ar an oibritheoir reatha líne seasta agus 12 fhiosrúchán chomhlíonta ghníomhacha ar oibritheoirí móibíleacha.

108 28 Bainistíocht Speictream Raidió Meán is ea speictream raidió trína tharchuirtear faisnéis thar achair ó réimse cúpla méadar go dtí na mílte ciliméadar gan sreanga. Tá sé bunriachtanach do sholáthar cumarsáid móibíleach agus seirbhísí craolta a ghlacadh gan sreanga. Tá speictream raidió bunriachtanach freisin d oibriú slán aeriompar agus iompar muirí, oibriú laethúil na bhfórsaí Cosanta agus na seirbhísi éigeandála chomh maith le bheith ríthábhachtach d iliomad féidhmiúcháin eolaíochta thábhachtacha. Mar acmhainn nádúrtha chríochta ní mór í a bhainistiú go stuama chun úsáid éifeachtúil agus éifeachtach na hacmhainne a chinntiú. Le linn na bliana faoi athbhreithniú tosaíodh ar agus nó críochnaíodh iliomad príomhthionscadal speictrim bhainistíochta mar atá mionsonraithe thíos. Bronnadh banda 3.6 GHz Is banda speictream tábhachtach an banda 3.6 GHz chun leasa soláthróirí seirbhie idirlín gan sreanga (WISPanna) agus oibritheoirí líonraí móibíleacha (MNOanna). Tá éagsúlacht úsáidí féideartha aige lena n-áirítear tabhairt faoi shrianta acmhainn mhóibíleach agus a bheith ina chroíbhanda chun seirbhísí leathanbhanda gan sreanga seasta a chur ar fáil agus a fheabhsú go háirithe i gceantair tuaithe. Chomh maith leis sin tá an banda aitheanta ag Grúpa Beartais Speictream Raidió na heorpa (RSPG) 19 mar bhanda iarrthóra chun seirbhísí nua 5G a thabhairt isteach. 20 Tar éis do ComReg a phróiseas comhairliúcháin a chríochnú ar an 24 Lúnasa 2016 thionscain sé an próiseas bronnta don bhanda 3.6Ghz le foilsiú a 19 Grúpa ardleibhéil chomhairliúcháin is ea an Grúpa Beartais Speictream Raidió a chabhraíonn le Coimisiún na heorpa i bhforbairt beartais speictream raidió. Glacann sé le tuairimí, staidpháipéir agus tuarascálacha chomh maith le ráitis a eisiúint, atá mar aidhm acu cabhair agus comhairle a thabhairt don Choimisiún ag leibhéal straitéiseach ar shaincheisteanna beartais speictream raidió, comhordú maidir le cuir chuige beartais agus coinníollacha comhoiriúnaithe, nuair is cuí, maidir le húsáid éifeachtúil agus infhaighteacht speictream raidió riachtanach do bhunú agus feidhmiú an mhargaidh inmheánaigh. 20 Tuairim RSPG, Strategic roadmap towards 5G for Europe 9 Samhain 2016,

109 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Mheamram Faisnéise (Doiciméad ComReg 16/71). Leagtar amach sa Mheamram Faisnéise seo na próisis, nósanna imeachta agus rialacha ceant don 350 Mhz speictrim sa bhanda 3.6 Ghz i ngach ceann de na naoi réigiún den Stát (cúig uirbeach agus cúig tuaithe) don tréimhse 2017 go Ar an 22 Bealtaine 2017 d fhoilsigh ComReg torthaí an bhronnta (Doiciméad ComReg 17/38) a raibh mar thoradh air sannadh rathúil 350 Mhz speictream ar fáil, i réigiúin ar fad den Stát do chúig thairgeoir buachana. Imagine Communications Ireland Ltd an WISP is mó reatha ina raibh os cionn 80% de na ceadúnais roimhe seo sa bhanda; Airspan Spectrum Holdings Ltd iontrálach nua i margadh na héireann; Vodafone Ireland Ltd oibritheoir líonra móibíleach reatha; Three Ireland Hutchison Ltd oibritheoir líonra móibíleach reatha; agus Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd oibritheoir líonra móibíleach reatha. Le scaoileadh an bhanda 3.6 MHz méadaíodh 86% an méid speictream comhchuibhithe do sheirbhísí leathanbhanda móibíleacha, fánaíochta agus seasta gan sreanga in Éirinn agus cuireann Éire ag urgharda na heorpa, tar éis 350 Mhz den bhanda a scaoileadh ag comhlíonadh go hiomlán le cinneadh comhchuibhithe Choimisiún na heorpa don Bhanda 3.6 GHz. Tá torthaí iomlána an bhronnta léirithe i dtábla 1. Thar shaolré an cheadúnais, íocfaidh tairgeoirí buachana os cionn 78 milliún, déanta suas de 60.5m i dtáillí láithreacha agus timpeall 17.7m i dtáillí úsáide speictrim le híoc thar na 15 bliana a mhairfidh na ceadúnais. Figiúr 15: Torthaí an Bhronnta um Speictream Banda Ceantar Teorainneacha Lár Tíre agus Iarthar Airspan Spectrum Holdings Ltd Imagine Communications Ireland Ltd Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd Three Ireland (Hutchison) Ltd Vodafone Ireland Ltd 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz Iardheisceart 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz Oirthear 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz Oirdheisceart 25 MHz 60 MHz 80 MHz 100 MHz 85 MHz Cathair Bhaile Átha Cliath agus bruachbhailte Cathair Chorcaí agus Bruachbhailte Cathair Luimnigh agus Bruachbhailte Cathair na Gaillimhe agus Bruachbhailte Cathair Phort Láirge agus Brachbhailte 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz 60 MHz - 85 MHz 100 MHz 105 MHz Táillí Láithreacha Deiridh 21 7,556,700 8,128,800 11,498,400 15,313,700 17,968,712 Táillí úsáide Speictrim Iomlána 22 2,078,550 1,640,520 4,163,610 5,059,200 4,765,320 IOMLÁN 78,173, Táillí láithreacha deiridh ag brath ar aon aisíocaíochtaí táille cheadúnais maidir le tosú déanach ag éirí as Gníomhaíochtaí Idirlinne mar atá mionsonraithe sa Mheamram Faisnéise. 22 Beidh Taillí Úsáide Speictrim innéacaithe do CPI agus íoctha go bliantúil thar shaol an Bhronnta. Ní ghlacann figiúirí sa tábla seo aon choigeartú agus tá siad curtha i láthair go táscach.

110 30 Pleanna speictrim TDT (DTT) comhordaithe sa bhanda (MUA) UHF thíos faoin mbanda 700 MHz Tá an speictream raidió MHz ar a dtugtar an banda 700 MHz á úsáid le fada chun seirbhís Teilifís Dhigiteach Trastíre (DTT) a chur ar fáil in Éirinn agus go hidirnáisiúnta. I 2012 bheartaigh an taontas Idirnáisiúnta Teileachunarsáide (ITU) go bhféadfaidh an banda 700 Mhz a úsáid freisin chun seirbhísí móibíleacha a chur ar fáil san Eoraip, san Afraic agus sa Mheánoirthear chomh maith lena úsáid chun seirbhísí TDT (DTT) a chur ar fáil. Cuirfear seirbhísí TDT (DTT) thíos faoin mbanda 700 MHz ar fáil go leanúnach sa bhanda MHz. Ó tógadh cinneadh an Aontais Idirnáisiúnta Teileachumarsáide (ITU) tá dul chun cinn suntasach á dhéanamh chun an banda 700 Mhz a chur ar fáil do theicneolaíochtai agus seirbhísí eile seachas TDT (DTT) ag an leibhéal Eorpach agus náisiúnta. Ag an leibhéal Eorpach tá bearta comhoiriúnaithe teicniúla in ionad anois chun úsáid teicneolaíochtaí móibíleacha (m.sh. ITE) sa bhanda 700 Mhz a cheadú agus éilítear trí chinneadh AE le déanaí ar Bhallstáit AE cead a thabhairt don bhanda 700 Mhz a úsáid chun críocha seachas TDT (DTT) roimh 30 Meitheamh De bhrí nach bhfuil minicíochtaí raidió faoi réir teorainneacha poilitiúla, ní mór d Éirinn a cuid phleananna speictrim a chomhordú le tíortha comharsanacha chun úsáid éifeachtúil speictream raidió a éascú i dtíortha go léir ag díriú go háirithe ar thrasnaíocht trasteorann a chosc nó a íoslaghdú. Maidir leis an Ríocht Aontaithe críochnaíodh plean ar an 24 Márta 2017 nuair a shínigh Ofcom agus ComReg an Meamram Tuisceana (MoU) chun seirbhísí TDD (DTT) a sholáthar go leanúnach thíos faoin mbanda 700MHz. Chun cur chun feidhme an phlean a éascú d aontaigh ComReg 23 agus Ofcom meamram tuisceana eile (MoU) 24 chun gníomhaíochtaí trasdula a chomhordú. Leanfar leis an obair chun TDD (DTT) a aistriú ón mbanda 700 MHz sa dá dhlínse go dtí go mbeidh an t-aistriú críochnaithe. Tá tréithe buntáisteacha forleata ag Speictream sa réimse minicíochta Mhz sé sin taistilíonn 23 Doiciméad ComReg 17/23a 24 Doicimead ComReg 17/23b sé i bhfad agus úsáideann líonraí TDD (DTT) crainn arda le cumhacht an-ard. Mar sin rinne ComReg idirbheartaíocht um chomhaontas comhordaithe leis an bhfrainc maidir le seirbhísí TDD (DTT) sa bhanda Mhz agus críochnaíodh an comhaontas 25 agus é curtha i bhfeidhm ar an 28 Aibreán Cé nach bhfuil éifeacht ag seirbhísí TDD (DTT) ar thíortha Eorpacha seachas ár gcomharsana béal dorais sa RA agus sa bhfrainc bhí sé riachtanach freisin d Éirinn páirt a ghlacadh i ngrúpa pleanála réigiúnaigh iltaobhaigh níos leithne. An chúis atá leis seo ná go bhféadfadh pleananna speictrim tíortha Eorpacha seachas an RA agus an Fhrainc éifeacht neamhdhíreach a bheith acu ar Éirinn de bhrí go bhfuil éifeacht ag na tíortha seo ar phleananna speictrim an RA agus na Fraince. Ar an 29 Aibreán 2016 shínigh rialtais ábhartha na Beilge, na Fraince, na Gearmáine, na héireann, an Lucsamburg, na hísiltíre agus an Ríocht Aontaithe comhaontas iltaobhach chun pleananna TDD (DTT) don bhanda Mhz a chomhordú. 26 Meicníocht chun Costais an 700 MHz a Fháil ar Ais Choimisiúnaigh ComReg Frontier Economics Ltd., anailís costais is tairbhe a chomhlíonadh (CBA) ar athearraíocht a bhaint as an mbanda 700 Mhz. Foilsithe i Meitheamh , fuarthas san anailís go mbeadh an glansochar de 91m mar thoradh ar athearraíocht a bhaint as an 700 MHz in Éirinn. Aithníodh sa tuarascáil freisin go mbeadh costais á dtabhú ar oibritheoir an líonra TDD (DTT) reatha 2m lasmuigh dá ghnáthchostais oibriúcháin trí athearraíocht an bhanda 700 MHz a bhaint. Ina dhiaidh sin, in Iúil 2015, d iarr an Roinn Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na haeráide agus Comhshaoil (DCCAE) cabhair ComReg chun meicníocht chostais a fháil ar ais (CRM) a fhorbairt le cur i bhfeidhm ar chaiteachas amach anseo ar líonra Teilifís Dhigiteach Trastíre (DTT). 25 Doiciméad ComReg17/23c 26 Doiciméad ComReg Document 17/23d publications 27 Doiciméid ComReg 15/62, 15/62a and 15/62b.

111 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil D fhostaigh ComReg Frontier Economics chun anailís agus measúnú réasúnaithe go hiomlán a dhéanamh ar na costais chaipitil agus oibriúcháin a tabhaíodh go héifeachtúil a d fhéadfadh 2m agus sa deireadh RTÉ a thabú mar thoradh ar TDD (DTT) ag aistriú ón mbanda 700 Mgz. Foilsíodh tuarascáil Frontier Economics 28 i Nollaig 2016 agus meastar inti go bhféadfaí na costais incriminteacha a d fhéadfaí 2m a tabhú mar thoradh ar aistriú 700 Mhz a bheith suas go 8.6 milliún. Leag an tuarascáil síos an bunús chun measúnú a dhéanamh ar an gcúiteamh iníoctha do RTÉ chun a leithéid d aistriú a chlúdach agus go n-íocfaí a leithéid de chúiteamh i dtrí chéim, mar seo a leanas: i. Céim 1 go luath i 2017: 60% chun tairiscint agus suiteáil fearas a chlúdach; ii. iii. Céim 2 déanach i 2017; 30% chun tairiscint agus suiteáil bhreise fearas a chlúdach (le suiteáil i Samhradh 2018); Céim ; 10% chun an réiteach deiridh idir costais tuartha agus iarbhír a chlúdach; Leanfaidh ComReg ag obair leis an Roinn Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na haeráide agus Comhshaoil (DCCAE) agus Frontier Economics chun monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chostais agus caiteachais a fhíorú chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíontar sceideal na gcéimeanna cúitimh. Figiúr 16: Seasamh Speictrim Léasú Speictrim i mbandaí an Chláir Bheartais um an Speictream Raidió (RSPP) agus 700 MHz I Meitheamh 2017 thosaigh ComReg comhairliúchán poiblí (Comhairliúchán 17/47) ar chreat don athbhreithniú ex-ante ar léasanna speictrim mholta sa Chlár Beartais um an Speictream Raidió (RSPP) AE agus sna bandaí 700 Mhz 29 speictream raidió. Mar achoimre, moladh i gcomhairliúchán 17/47 na nósanna imeachta reatha chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar aistrithe speictrim fógraithe a leathnú arna mbunú faoi I.R Uimh. 34 de 2014 i 2014 chun léasanna speictrim a chuimsiú agus chuirfear ar cumas gnóthais dá bharr cearta úsáide speictrim a fháil ar speictream raidió de réir nósanna imeachta léasaithe speictrim mar atá sonraithe ag ComReg. Tastáil agus Trial Éireann Cuireann suíomh geografach na héireann ar chósta iarthar na heorpa agus a daonra ísealdlúis príomhbhuntáiste nádúrtha ar fáil eadhon leorgacht choibhneasta speictream neamhúsáidte. Seirbhís is ea Tastáil agus Triail Éireann a fhéadfaidh fiontraithe, lucht taighde agus forbróirí a úsáid chun teicneolaíochtaí gan sreanga a thastáil nó a thriail in éagsúlacht leathan bhandaí mhinicíochta, lena n-áirítear codanna de na bandaí móibíleacha agus craolta. Le linn na bliana faoi athbhreithniú d eisigh ComReg 19 gceadúnas um Thastáil agus Triail. Tá mionsonraí a thuilleadh ar Tastáil agus Triail Éireann ar Figiúr 17: 28 Doiciméad ComReg 16/114a 29 Tháinig cinneadh AE ar úsáid an bhanda minicíochta Mhz i bhfeidhm i Meitheamh legal-content/en/txt/pdf/?uri=celex:32017d0899&from=en

112 32 Oibriúcháin Cheadúnaithe Éilítear údarú ó ComReg chun fearas raidió a úsáid agus a shealbhú in Éirinn. D fhéadfadh an t-údarú seo a bheith i bhfoirm ceadúnais nó díolúine ó cheadúnas. D fhéadfaí ceadúnais a eisiúint de réir na reachtaíochta seo a leanas: An tacht Teileagrafaíochta gan Sreanga 1926 (arna leasú); An tacht um Chraoladh 1960 arna leasú (i gcás Údarás RTÉ amháin); An tact Raidió agus Teilifíse,1988 (i gcás Coimisiún Craolta na héireann ); nó an tacht um Chraoladh (Leasú) 2007 do Chraoladh Digiteach. Figiúr 18: Príomhghnéithe a bhfuil éifeacht acu ar thaithí úsádeoirí móibíleacha An méadú ar úsáid fón a bhfuil feidhmíocht aeróige lag acu. Úsáid ábhair inslithe thógála; go háirithe úsáid ábhar tógála scragall tacaithe. Nósanna tomhaltóra atá ag athrú (m.sh. méadú ar úsáid sonraí, brath níos mó ar fhóin chliste) agus ionchais. Ó 30 Meitheamh 2017 ba é an líon iomlán ceadúnais raidió ar ár mbunachar sonraí ná 18,561 suas 2% ón tréimhse roimhe sin. Ba é an líon iomlán ceadúnas nua eisithe sa tréimhse tuarascála seo ná 4020 méadú 20% ar an mbliain roimhe sin. Bhí comhréir shuntasach de na ceadúnais nua a eisíodh (2590) i ndáil le naisc sheasta. Comhthathú seirbhísí nua isteach i líonraí móibíleacha reatha (m.sh. 3G isteach seirbhísí 900 Mhz 4G isteach i 1800MHz) Cumas oibritheoirí fón móibíleach suíomhanna oiriúnacha a aimsiú chun cead pleanála a fháil. Taithí Úsáideoir Móibíleach Le linn na tréimhse bhí roinnt forbairtí suntasacha sa spás maidir le taithí tomhaltóir móibíleach. Chuir ComReg bratach leis seo mar réimse tábhachtach ina Ráiteas Bainistíochta Speictream Raidió (ComReg 16/50). Féadfaidh mearbhall, a bheith mar thoradh ar thaithí úsáideoir móibíleach agus é níos measa de bharr an ghanntanais taighde agus faisnéise iontaofa ábhartha. Fad is go bhfuil cúig phríomhghné (féach ar fhigiúr 18) atá aitheanta ag ComReg a d fhéadfadh drochéifeacht a bheith acu ar thaithí úsáideoir móibíleach tá siad go léir pléite nó díospóireacht déanta orthu go ginearálta faoin teideal aonair clúdach. Tá ComReg ag iarraidh a sheandícheall a dhéanamh chun soiléireacht a thabhairt don díospóireacht trí theacht suas le fíorais agus sonraí iontaofa agus ag iarraidh go mbeadh an faisnéis seo a bheith ar fáil go réidh. Tá sé seo i gcomhthráth le torthaí agus moltaí tuarascála Tascfhórsa Leathanbhanda agus Móibíleach an Rialtais 30. Le linn na tréimhse thosaigh ComReg obair sna réimsí seo a leanas: Tastáil Feidhmíochta Sás Láimhe Fón Móibíleach; Tastáil Ábhair Thógála; Suíomh gréasáin Seiceálaí Raon Clúdaigh a fhorbairt; agus, Comhairliúchán a fhorbairt ar úsáid athsheoltóirí fón móibíleach. Tá sé i gceist go gcabhróidh an obair seo chun tomhaltóirí a chur ar an eolas agus a chosaint. Tá súil 30 Pages/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce. aspx

113 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil ag ComReg tosú ag foilsiú faisnéise ar na cúrsaí seo sna tréimhsí tuarascálacha atá le teacht. Intleacht agus Fiosrúchán Speictrim Tá Aonad Fiosrúcháin agus Intleachta Speictrim ComReg freagrach as comhlíonadh le reachtaíocht theileagrafaíochta gan sreanga agus Comhoiriúnacht Leictreamhaighnéadach (EMC) 31 agus Treoracha um Fearas Raidió sa Stát agus iad a chur i bhfeidhm mar is gá. Le linn na tréimhse choimeád ComReg siar agus rinne scrúdú ar 193 ghaireas tomhaltóra trí chúrsa a ghníomhaíochtaí faireacháin mhargaidh maidir le Treoracha um Chomhoiriúnacht Leictreamhaighnéadach agus Fearas Raidió (RE) 32 agus fuarthas go raibh timpeall 70% díobh siúd neamhchomhlíonta. 33 Mar chuid dá ghníomhaíochtaí faireachais sa mhargadh baineann ComReg taitneamh as agus tá sé buíoch as caidreamh táirgiúil a bheith aige le húdaráis Chustam agus Máil chun a chinntiú nach n-iontrálann fearas leictreonach neamhchomhlíonta an Stát. Tá sé faighte amach go gcúisíonn fearais srianta den sórt sin trasnaíocht dochrach do réimse seirbhísí lena n-áirítear líonraí fón móibíleacha agus seirbhísí aerloingeoireachta. Sa tréimhse ó Iúil 2016 go Meitheamh 2017 fuair ComReg 132 thuarascáil de thrasnaíocht dochrach do sheirbhísí raidió. Is méadú 5% é sin ar an tréimhse roimhe sin. Is tuairiscí iad beagnach a leath de ghearáin go léir a fhaightear maidir le trasnaíocht d oibritheoirí líonra móibíleach. Is 31 Treoir Chomhoiriúnach Leictreamhaighnéadach 2014/30/ AE mar atá trasuite go dli na héireann ag I.R. Uimh. 69 de 2017 Rialacháin na gcomhphobal Eorpacha (Comhoiriúnacht Leictreamhaighnéadach) Treoir Fearas Raidió 2014/53/AE mar atá trasuite go dlí na héireann ag I.R. Uimh. 248 de 2017 Rialacháin Chomhphobail Eorpacha (Fearas Raidió) Tá sé tábhachtach a thabhairt faoi dheara nach léiríú é seo ar an ráta neamhchomhlíonta táirgí ar an margadh, ach gur feidhm é den chur chuige spriocdhírithe d fhaireachas sa mhargadh glactha ag an eagraíocht. comhréir shuntasach den obair sa réimse seo freisin iad trasnaíocht a bhaineann le seirbhisí líne seasta agus fearais neamh-raidió; tá cásanna den sórt sin idirnasctha le gníomhaíochtaí faireachais mhargaidh faoin Treoir maidir le Comhoiriúnacht Leictreamhaighnéadach (EMC). Tugtar tosaíocht do theagmhais trasnaíochta go léir a thuairiscítear do ComReg bunaithe ar dhéine agus éifeacht na trasnaíochta. Le linn na bliana atá thart sheachfhoinsigh ComReg cuid dá fhiosrúcháin trasnaíochta den tosaíocht níos ísle 34. Cheadaigh é sin do ComReg lena chuid acmhainní teoranta díriú ar chúrsaí den tosaíocht is airde sé sin iad sin le leibhéil trasnaíochta agus éifeachta suntasaí agus i ngníomhaíochtaí forghníomhacha ar nós faireachas sa mhargaidh agus monatóireacht raidió. Clár Tomhais um Radaíocht Neamh-Ianúcháin (NIR) Éilíonn ComReg mar choinníoll ceadúnas craolta gan sreanga nach mór d oibritheioirí stáisiúin chraolta a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann a shuiteálacha le teorainneacha astúcháin Radaíocht Neamh-Ianúcháin (NIR) sonraithe sna treoirlínte is déanaí foilsithe ag an gcoimisiún Idirnáisiúnta ar Chosaint Radaíochta Neamh-Ianúcháin (ICNIRP). Comhlíonann ComReg iniúchta bliantúla ar chomhlíonadh oibritheoirí le coinníollacha ceadúnas lena n-áirítear teorainneacha astúchán an Choimisiúin Idirnáisiúnta ar Chosaint Radaíochta Neamh- Ianúcháin. Is éard atá i gceist le gach iniúchadh bliantúil ná suirbhé a dhéanamh ar líon samplach suíomhanna agus cineálacha craolta (leathanbhanda, teileafónaíocht mhóibíleach, craoladh gan sreanga srl.,) ar fud na tíre. Rinneadh achoimre ar thorthaí suirbhéannna na suíomhanna go léir a rinneadh le linn na tréimhse tuairiscithe seo agus foilsíodh iad i gceithre thuarascáil ráithiúla atá ar fáil ar 34 Tabhair faoi deara nach bhfuil athrú ar an nós imeachta chun gearán trasnaíochta a dhéanamh; ba chóir go dtuairiscítear teagmhais trasnaíochta go díreach do ComReg.

114 34 Cuireadh cóipeanna de na tuairiscí suirbhé símh aonair ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin ComReg agus freisin ar Tá áthas ar ComReg a thuairisciú go bhfuarthas go raibh tomhais astúcháin NIR thíos go suntasach faoi threoracha treoirlínte ICNIRP. Comhlíonadh Ceadúnais um Oibritheoir Líonra Móibíleach - Tastáil Tiomána Le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe d fhoilsigh ComReg dhá thuarascáil achomair dá thastálacha tiomána náisiúnta. Chomh maith leis sin tá na sonraí loma atá faoi bhun na dtastálacha tiomána curtha ar fáil le híoslódail ag ComReg don chéad uair ar a shuíomh gréasáin Tá córas na tastála tiomána deartha chun comhlíonadh leis na dualgais chlúdaigh leagtha síos i gceadúnais Úsáide Léirscaoilte agus 3G. Clúdaíonn an bealach níos mó ná 5,000km ag tógáil isteach príomhbhóithre agus bóithre den dara grád go léir sa Stát: is é seo an sceideal is déine arna ghabháil de láimh ag aon Údarás Rialála Náisiúnta (NRA) san AE. De réir na dtorthaí bhí oibritheoirí líonra móibíleach go léir i gcomhlíonadh lena gcoinníollacha ceadúnais. 35 Saoráid ar líne curtha ar fáil ag ComReg is ea site viewer ar a bhfuil an pobal in ann amharc ar mhionsonraí bunstáisiúin teileagrafaíochta móibíle GSM, 3G agus LTE ar fud na héireann.

115 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Uimhriú Bainistiú na nacmhainní Uimhrithe Náisiúnta Acmhainn náisiúnta is ea uimhreacha teileafóin atá riachtanach do sheirbhísí cumarsáide. Cinntíonn uimhreacha teileafóin ródú éifeachtach seirbhísi cumarsáide náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta agus tacaíonn le hoibriú ceart córais bhileála agus socraithe do na seirbhísí sin. Is féidir leo faisnéis a chur ar fáil don ghlaoiteoir ar an gcineál seirbhíse a glaodh, praghas an ghlao agus suíomh an pháirtí a glaodh. Tacaíonn siad freisin le seirbhísí forlíontacha ar nós Aithint Líne an Ghlaoiteora (CLI). Mar sholáthróir bunúsach iomaíoch ar sheirbhísí cumarsáide tá sé riachtanach go mbíonn a dhóthain uimhreacha ar fáil do sheirbhísí reatha agus amach anseo araon. Tá sé ríthábhachtach go leanann ComReg ag bainistiú na hacmhainne uimhrithe náisiúnta i modh a chuireann iomaíocht chun cinn agus a thacaíonn le seirbhísí cumarsáide nuálacha ach freisin a chosnaíonn tomhaltóirí agus a chuireann iad ar an eolas. Bainistíonn ComReg an acmhainn uimhrithe náisiúnta de réir Moltaí Náisiúnta agus Idirnáisiúnta agus faoi réir reachtaíochta Náisiúnta agus Eorpach ar leith. Áirítear i mbainistiú ComReg na hacmhainne náisiúnta ag cur síos coinníollacha (sé sin rialacha) ar úsáid na n-uimhreacha ag Oibritheoirí agus ag sainmhíniú cé atá inghlactha chun uimhreacha a choimeád. Tá na critéir inghlactha agus na coinníollacha deartha den chuid is mó chun tomhaltóirí a chosaint agus chun cothroime rochtana ar acmhainní uimhrithe a chur ar fáil d oibritheoirí ar mhaithe le hiomaíocht a chur chun cinn. Tá na coinníollacha nuashonraithe mar is gá chun

116 36 forbairt táirgí/seirbhíse nua, athruithe reachtaíochta agus aon riachtanais eile a chur san áireamh. Bíonn uimhreacha ag teastáil freisin do mheaisíní a bhfuil riachtanach chun rochtaiin a fháil ar líonraí teileafóin phoiblí. Áirítear i bpríomhréimsí atá faoi bhuntáiste de bharr nascacht Meaisín go Meaisín (M2M) nó Idirlíon Rudaí (IoT) seirbhísí ríomhshláinte uathúla, meadrú chliste/greillí cliste, tithe cliste, cathracha cliste, tionscal/uathoibriú agus talamhaíocht. Tá sé tuartha ag Analysys Mason go mbeidh 719 milliún gluaisteán nasctha ar fud an domhain faoi Riachtanas ar leith freisin is ea glaoch éigeandála uathúil ríomhghlao i ngluaisteáin monaraithe nua le díol a thabhairt isteach san AE ó Aibreán Ní mór do ComReg éilimh a éascú d uimhreacha nua ar aon dul lena chuspóirí reachtúla. Figiúr 19: Léarscáil Chód Ceantair 37 chomhlíonadh chun úsád éifeachtúil agus bainistiú éifeachtach acmhainní náisiúnta Éireannacha a chinntiú. Ábhar imní i gcónaí do rialálaithe náisiúnta is ea ídiú uimhreach. Is é an gnáthréiteach ar ídiú uimhreach ná athrú uimhreach a thabhairt isteach chun cumasaíocht a leathnú. Mar sin féin de bhrí go bhfuil uimhreacha leabaithe isteach sa mhéid sin córas agus gaireas thógfadh athrú uimhreach iliomad blianta agus d fhéadfaí iad a bheith costasach agus suaiteach. Beidh caomhnú uimhreach rí-thábhachtach mar sin amach anseo. Tá tábhacht bhunúsach le caomhnú a dhéanamh ar raonta uimhreach reatha ar mhaithe le plean uimhreach éifeachtaigh a bhainistiú. I 2015 d fhostaigh ComReg comhairleoirí chun bearta a mholadh d uimhreacha Móibíleacha agus Geografacha reatha a chaomhnú. 38 D fhorbair na comhairleoirí dhá thuairisc 39 inar leagadh amach bearta éagsúla chun uimhreacha a chaomhnú agus measúnú a dhéanamh ar an tionchar a d fhéadfadh a bheith acu. Aithníodh sna tuairiscí neamhéifeachtúlachtaí i bpróisis agus córais ghnó oibritheoirí a mbíonn ídiú uimhreach suntasaí mar thoradh orthu. Tá bearta caomhnaithe mhóra uimhreach i bhfeidhm anois le tacaíocht iomlán ó thionscal telecom na héireann. Leanfaidh ComReg le monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar úsáid uimhreach na n-oibritheoirí chun a chinntiú go mbíonn na bearta caomhnaithe curtha i bhfeidhm i gceart. Athbhreithniú ar Acmhainní um Uimhriú Móibíleach Bearta Caomhnaithe Uimhreacha Éilítear ar ComReg leis an Acht um Rialachán Cumarsáide bearta réasúnacha go léir a 36 Analysys Mason report: Connected Cars: Worldwide Trends and Forecasts 2013 to Tá an rannóg M2M agus na seirbhísí teachtaireachta agus gutha Over-the-Top (OTT) ag fás go mear ar fud an domhain. Níl ach comhréir bheag de sheirbhísí OTT a mbeidh uimhreacha móibíleacha nua ag teastáil uathu de bhrí go ngiaráltar de ghnáth ar uimhir reatha an chustaiméara nó úsáideann siad seolachán dílsithe do ghlaonna ar an idirlíon. 38 ComReg Document 16/ ComReg Documents 16/20a and 16/20b publications

117 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Mar gheall ar an bhfás tuartha ar naisc M2M tá ComReg ag déanamh grinn-athbhreithnithe ar uimhriú do sheirbhísí M2M agus OTT móibíleach araon chun measúnú a dhéanamh ar na héifeachtaí a d fhéadfadh a bheith ag na seirbhísí seo ar an acmhainn uimhrithe in Éirinn. Ciallaíonn nádúr domhanda an mhargaidh M2M gur dócha go n-úsáidfidh roinnt seirbhísí M2M acmhainní uimhrithe Éireanacha ar bhonn allchríche. Breithneofar in athbhreithniú ComReg na saincheisteanna teicniúla, tráchtála agus rialála níos leithne a ardaíodh i dtimpeallacht ina n-úsáidfear acmhainní uimhrithe Éireannacha lasmuigh d Éirinn. Mar chuid dá athbhreithniú tá díospóireachtaí déanta ag ComReg le hoibritheoirí móibíleacha Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta chomh maith le sainsoláthróirí seirbhíse M2M. Déanfaidh beart tagarmharcála measúnú ar an taithí maidir le tabhairt faoi éilimh M2M i dtíortha eile. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh moladh san athbhreithniú faoin réiteach is fearr d Éirinn agus na riachtanais chur chun feidhme aon réiteacha molta. Tá pleananna ag ComReg doiciméad comhairliúcháin a fhoilsiú ar an athbhreithniú seo roimh dheireadh Athbhreithniú ar Uimhreacha Neamhgheografacha Tá ComReg ag déanamh athbhreithnithe faoi láthair ar fheidhmiú cúig chineál éagsúla d Uimhreacha Neamhgheografacha (1800, 1850, 1890, 0818 agus 076) in Éirinn. Cé go soláthraíonn na huimhreacha neamhgheografacha (NGN) seo ardán úsáideach chun éagsúlacht leathan seirbhísí a sholáthar, tá ábhair imní ag ComReg faoia n-úsáid. Is é cuspóir an athbhreithnithe faisnéis a bhailiú agus anailís a dhéanamh uirthi ionas go mbeidh ComReg in ann breithniú a dhéanamh ar cibé arb fhéidir bunús a thabhairt lena chuid ábhar imní nó nach féidir. Tógann an t-athbhreithniú an riachtanas san áireamh go n-úsáidtear na huimhreacha seo i modh a chuireann iomaíocht chun cinn agus a chosnaíonn tomhaltóirí. Tosóidh ComReg comhairliúchán poiblí iomlán ar Uimhreach Neamhgheografacha (NGNanna) go luath. Leagfaidh an comhairliúchán réamhroghanna amach chun feidhmiú an ardáin Uimhreacha Geoghrafacha a fheabhsú in Éirinn. Pléifidh ComReg ionchuir go léir leis an gcomhairliúchán sula ndéanann siad cinneadh faoin gcéad chéim eile. Fóram Uimhrithe Cuireann Fóram Uimhrithe ComReg ardán ar fáil chun saincheisteanna tráchtála, oibriúcháin, rialála agus teicniúla a bhaineann le huimhriú a phlé. Tá ionadaithe den tionscal cumarsáide leictreonaí agus ComReg ann. Ag leibhéal oibriúcháin oibríonn ComReg go díreach leis na hoibritheoirí aonair chun a chinntiú go n-osclaítear suas uimhreacha nua go tapa ar líonraí agus chun saincheisteanna mar mhídhiailiú a réiteach. Comhordú Idirnáisiúnta Rianaíonn agus glacann ComReg páirt i ngrúpaí oibre Eorpacha agus idirnáisiúnta ar shaincheisteanna uimhrithe. Tá sé sin tábhachtach mar is féidir le hathruithe ar thírdhreach na heorpa agus/nó go hidirnáisiúnta impleachtaí a bheith acu ar acmhainní uimhrithe náisiúnta agus oibriúcháin líonra in Éirinn. Éilítear ar ComReg freisin a cinntiú go gcuirtear reachtaíocht AE ábhartha ar chomhchuibiú uimhrithe i bhfeidhm. Ag leibhéal oibriúcháin oibríonn ComReg lena chomhghleacaithe in údaráis rialála náisiúnta eile agus leis an Aontas Idirnáisiúnta Teileachumarsáide chun a chinntiú go dtagann uimhreacha teileafóin nua Éireannacha agus coigríche i bhfeidhm go pras ar líonraí náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta go léir.

118 38 Rialú Poist Is iad feidhmeanna reachtúla ComReg ná a chinntiú go bhfuil seirbhís poist uilíoch ar fáil a chomhlíonann le riachtanais úsáideoirí na seirbhíse poist agus chun monatóireacht a dhéanamh agus a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann soláthróirí seirbhíse leis na dualgais atá orthu. Is iad cuspóirí reachtúla ComReg ná: Forbairt na rannóige poist a chur chun cinn agus go háirithe seirbhís poist uilíoch a bheith ar fáil laistigh de agus ón Stát ar chostas inacmhainne chun tairbhe úsáideoirí go léir; Leasanna úsáideoirí na seirbhíse poist a éascú; forbairt iomaíocht agus nualaíocht sa mhargadh le haghaidh soláthar seirbhsie poist a éascú. Tá an Post sainithe ag an Acht um Rialáil Cumarsáide (Seirbhísí Poist) 2011 mar an Soláthróir Seirbhíse Poist Uilíche (USP) go dtí 2023 leis an rogha do ComReg féachaint le hathbhreithniú a dhéanamh i Áirítear i bhfeidhmeanna ar leith ComReg monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chomhlíonadh an tsoláthraí Seirbhíse Uilíche le treoracha arna n-eisiúint ag ComReg. Le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe thug ComReg faoi na réimsí seo a leanas: Dualgas cuntasaíochta um an tseirbhís poist uilíoch Rinne ComReg treoir don Soláthraí Poist Uilíoch (USP) de bhun alt 31 den Acht 2011 (Treoir Chuntasaíochta 2017). Tá Treoir um Chuntasaíocht 2017 curtha in ionad Treoir um Chuntasaíocht 2006 arna bunú faoin gcreat reachtaíochta níos sine. Den chuid is mó leantar leis na riachtanais reatha faoin Treoir um Chuntasaíocht 2006 faoi Threoir um Chuntasaíocht Níl móran riachtanais nua i gceist, iad mionéfeachtach agus i gcomhréir lena gcuspóir.

119 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Is é cuspóir Treoir um Chuntasaíocht 2017 dualgais chuntasaíochta Soláthraí Seirbhíse Uilíoch a leagan amach maidir leis an tseirbhís poist uilíoch agus trédhearcacht ar chostáil agus brabúsacht na seirbhíse poist uilíoch leagtha amach sna Cuntais Rialála a chinntiú. Cuireann sé seo an faisnéis atá riachtanach do ComReg ar fáil chun a chuid feidhmeanna reachtúla a chomhlíonadh. Cuireann na dualgais chuntasaíochta ar cumas ComReg monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chomhlíonadh na seirbhíse poist uilíoch le dualgais éagsúla eile lena n-áirítear na riachtanais dleachtanna taraife agus críochchostais. Cáilíocht Seirbhíse Is príomhchuspóir d eacnamaíocht iomaíoch mar Éirinn seirbhís poist ardcháilíochta, éifeachtúil a bheith ar fáil. Is é ceann de na cuspóirí bunúsacha de Threoracha Poist na heorpa ná feabhsúcháin a dheimhniú i gcáilíochtaí seirbhíse don tseirbhís poist uilíoch agus tá sé de dhualgas ar ComReg de réir dlí sprioc cáilíocht seirbhíse do sholáthraí seirbhíse uilíoch a leagan síos maidir le seirbhís poist uilíoch a sholáthar. Threoraigh ComReg don Soláthraí Seirbhíse Poist caighdeán seachadta 94% an lá arna mhárach a bhaint amach do phost tosaíochta um phíosa aonair arna seachadadh laistigh den Stát. Déanann ComReg monatóireacht ar fheidhmíocht An Phoist i gcoinne an chaighdeáin 94% de réir Comité Européen de Normalisation/An Coiste Eorpach um Chaighdeánú (CEN) agus caighdeáin tomhais idirnáisiúnta agus foilsíonn ComReg tuarascálacha feidhmíochta bhliantúla ar a shuíomh gréasáin. Thug ComReg isteach monatóireacht neamhspleách ar dtús ar cháilíocht na seirbhíse poist uilíoch i 2003 agus ag an am sin ní raibh ach 71% de phost tosaíochta um phíosa aonair á sheachadadh ar an gcéad lá oibre tar éis é a chur sa phost. Sna blianta idir eatarthu tá feabhas 20% tagtha ar sheachadadh an lá arna mhárach, ráta feabhais 28% ó tugadh isteach monatóireacht rialála. Áiríodh sa tuarascáil feidhmíochta don bhliain féilire 2016 na príomhthorthaí seo a leanas: Sheachaid An Post 91% de phost tosaíochta um phíosa aonair ar an gcéad lá oibre tar és é a chur sa phost an toradh céanna leis sin do 2015 agus 3% níos lú ná an caighdeán 94%. Sheachaid An Post 99.1% de phost tosaíochta um phíosa aonair laistigh de thrí lá oibre tar éis é a chur sa phost an toradh céanna le 2015 freisin agus gan é ach beagáinín faoi bhun an chaighdeáin 99.5% ag léiriú gur féidir le líonra an phoist formhór na bpost tosaíochta um phíosa aonair a sheachadadh laistigh de thrí lá oibre. Sa tréimhse 11 mhí ó Eanáir go Samhain 2016 sheachaid An Post 92% de phost tosaíochta um phíosa aonair ar an lá oibre dar gcionn cé gur thit feidhmíocht don lá dar gcionn go 77% i mí na Nollag meathlú suntasach agus sheachaid An Post 88% de pacáistí poist (an réimse fáis reatha i seirbhísí poist) ar an lá oibre dar gcionn sé sin 6% faoi bhun an chaighdeáin 94%. Úsáideoir seirbhíse poist neamhspleách faoi nósanna imeachta um réiteach díospóidí Tugann Alt 43(3) den Acht 2011 do ComReg nó do dhuine ceaptha ag ComReg cumhacht lánroghnach chun díospóidí úsáideoirí na seirbhíse poist a réiteach a bhíonn gan réiteach tar éis críochnú cuí nósanna imeachta go léir maidir le cód cleachtais sholáthraí seirbhíse poist. Le linn na bliana rinne ComReg roinnt réiteacha díospóidí.

120 40 Aisghairm an Stáit ar rialú caidhp praghais na seirbhíse poist uilíoch Thug Alt 30 den Acht 2011 cumhacht do ComReg teorainn a chur leis an méid arbh fhéidir le An Post praghasanna dá sheirbhísí poist a mhéadú i mbliain ar leiith. Bhunaigh ComReg caidhp praghais den sórt sin i Meitheamh 2014 agus bhí sé le bheith éifeachtach ar feadh cúig bliana go dtí Meitheamh Cinntíodh leis seo i measc rudaí eile gur fhan praghasanna seirbhísí poist uilíoch inacmhainne trí mhéaduithe measartha a cheadú rud a thug spreagadh do An Post a bheith níos éifeachtúla ó thaobh costas de ag cur san áireamh go raibh toirt phoist An Post le laghdú de réir mar a bhí tuartha. Laghdaigh an chaidhp praghais caillteanais An Phoist go mór maidir le soláthar na seirbhísí poist uilíocha faoi réir caidhpe praghais. D aisghair an tacht um Rialachán Cumarsáide (Seirbhísí Poist) (Leasú) 2017 alt 30 den Acht 2011 agus caidhp praghais cúig bliana ComReg. Tá praghasanna seirbhísí poist uilíocha leagtha síos anois ag An Post. Ag leanúint ar aisghairm na caidhpe praghais mhéadaigh An Post praghasanna ar a sheirbhísí poist le meádú 39% ar phraghas litreach náisiúnta faoi stampa.

121 Commission for Communications Regulation Annual Report Rannóg Seirbhísí Corpráideacha Rialachas Is é cuspóir an Choimisiúin comhlíonadh a chinntiú i gcónaí le dea-chleachtas i Rialachas Corparáideach. Thosaigh an tréimhse airgeadais ar an 1 Iúil 2016 sé sin roimh dháta éifeachtach 1 Meán Fómhair 2016 don Chód Cleachtais nua 2016 um Rialachas Comhlachtaí Stáit. Mar sin táimid ag leanúint le leagan 2009 den Chód Cleachtais um Rialachas Comhlachtaí Stáit maidir le Ráitis Airgeadais 2017 a chur i bhfeidhm. Is é beartas ComReg comhlíonadh leis an gcód Cleachtais um Rialachas Comhlachtaí Stáit agus tá tuairiscithe aige maidir lena chomhlíonadh le haltanna ábhartha den Chód ina thuarascáil bhliaintiúil nó ar leithligh tri litir a chur chuig an Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na haeráide agus Comhshaoil. Tá clár iniúchta chuimsithigh in ionad ag ComReg á mhaoirsiú ag a Choiste Iniúchta a raibh cúig chruinniú acu le linn na bliana. Ba iad baill sheachtracha an choiste ar an 30 Meitheamh ná: Aisling Kennedy 40, Martin Higgins agus Patricia Byron. Déantar an fheidhm iniúchta inmheánaigh a sheachfhoinsiú. Tá iontaobhaí neamhspleách den scéim pinsin in situ, de réir an dea-chleachtais tionscail is fearr. Mar chomhlacht phoiblí ag oibriú i dtimpeallacht achrannach dúshlán leanúnach is ea breisluach a chinntiú i gcónaí fad is ag obair laistigh de shrianta acmhainne. Déanfaimid atbhreithniú ar bheartais agus nósanna imeachta i gcónaí maidir le caiteachas, soláthar agus bainistiú riosca. Tá ComReg freagrach don Oireachtas trí Choistí Oireachtais (féach ar Chumarsáid agus Rannpháirtíocht). Is é aidhm feidhmiú leanúnach an phlean soláthair ná luach ar airgead a bhaint amach, cáilíocht seirbhíse a chur ar fáil don phobal agus soláthar a shocrú ar tslí chomhliónta. 40 Tá Marie Collins tagtha in ionad Aisling Kennedy ó shin

122 42 Le linn na bliana reatha tá córas tairiscintí iomaíocha socraithe againn maidir le trealamh agus seirbhísí seachfhoinsithe. Tá Treoracha Eorpacha maidir le Soláthar comhlíonta againn maidir le conarthaí níos mó lena n-áirítear tairiscit a fhoilsiú maidir le painéil Ilsoláthraí do sheirbhísí Abhcóide agus Seirbhísí Gairmiúla um Rialachas Rialála. Tá Comhaontais Chreat Soláthair Oifig an Rialtais arna n-úsáid againn más gá. Tá sé mar aidhm againnn sonraisc bhailí go léir a íoc laistigh de 15 lá agus foilsímid ar ár suíomh gréasáin líon agus luach na n-íocaíochtaí a dhéantar go ráithiúil. Leanaimid le feabhas a chur le hamanna ciogail um phróiseail oibre le cabhair chomhoibrithe foirne go léir agus an tionscnamh teicneolaíochta nua arna bhforbairt go hinmheánach chun feabhas a chur le próiseáil. Sa bhliain go 30 Meitheamh 2017 rinneadh 82% d íocaíochtaí laistigh den tréimhse riachtanach. Éilítear leis an Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise 2014 go bhfoilseodh comhlachtaí Saoráil Faisnéise mar ComReg loga nochta ina bhfuil mionsonraí ar na cineálacha iarratas faighte faoi Shaoráil Faisnéise ó Eanáir 2015 agus na cinntí déanta ag an gcomhlacht mar fheagairt ar na hiarratais sin. Foilsímid an faisnéis sin ar ár suíomh gréasáin. Fuair ComReg 8 n-iarratas um Shaoráil Faisnéise ó Iúil go Nollaig 2016 agus 22 iarratas um Shaoráil Faisnéise ó Eanáir go Meitheamh Bhí iarratas amháin um Rochtain ar Fhaisnéis ar an gcomhshaol (AIE) againn agus i Márta 2017 ní raibh aon iarratas foirimiúil againn maidir le Cosaint Sonraí ná aon iarratas ar Nochtuithe Cosanta. Acmhainní Daonna Leanaimid ag aithint go bhfuil ár ndaoine ríthábhachtach dár gcumas clár oibre Comreg atá ag éirí níos casta a sheachadadh. Mar sin cuirfimid béim mhór ar chroíréimsí Earcaíochta, Forbartha, Rannpháirtíochta agus Folláine. Creidimid go mbíonn seirbhís níos fearr do thomhaltóirí agus páirtithe leasmhara ann nuair a fhorbraítear cultúr a mheallann daoine tréitheacha ó chúlraí éagsúla. Is dúshlan leanúnach fós é foinsiú. Bíonn taithí againn ar spíceáil i laghdú le linn na bliana de bharr iomaíocht mhéadaithe i gcomparáid le heintitis ó rannóga príobháideacha agus poiblí eile. De bhrí go mbíonn sainscileanna ag teastáil ó chuid mhór dár róil - Innealtóirí, Eacnamaithe, Cuntasóirí, Dlíodóirí agus Anailísithe - d fhéadfaí é a bheith dúbhlánach a chinntiú go líonaimid ár bhfolúntais leis an scil agus an talann atá ag teastáil. Le linn 2017 d fhorbraíomar agus sheolamar Creat Inniúlachta saincheaptha. Aithnítear leis sin ár gcroíscileanna agus iompraíochtaí agus tugtar fócas athnuaite dár luachanna, Éifeachtúlacht, Barr feabhais, Trédhearcacht agus Macántacht. Táimid ag úsáid an chreata seo mar chuid den phróiseas earcaíochta chun soiléireacht bhreise a thabhairt maidir le riachtanais agus an chaoi a ndéanfar iarrthóirí a thastáil agus a thomhas. Is cuid tábhachtach é cáilíocht, scil agtus tiomantas ár ndaoine do chumas na heagraíochta ár gcuspóirí rialála a bhaint amach agus ár ról in iomaíocht a chur chun cinn, ag cosaint custaiméirí agus ag spreagadh nualaíochta. In iarracht talann a choimeád agus a mhealladh infheistímid chun daoine a chumasú a scileanna teicniúla agus gairmiúla a fhorbairt trí chláir inmheánacha agus oideachas foirmiúil. Bunaithe ar anailís ar ár riachtanais oiliúna thugamar isteach féilire de chláir eagraíochtúla inar airíodh forbairt bainistíochta, cláir theicniúla agus gairmiúla agus seisiúin ag am lóin deartha chun comhoibriú a spreagadh agus faisnéis a roinnt. Leanaimid ag déanamh urraíochta ar oideachas agus tá torthaí barr feabhais bainte amach ag ar bhfoireann ag cur lena gcuid eolais agus inniúlachta. Breisíodh ár gclár meantóireachta a thuilleadh le linn 2017 agus leanann sé le deiseanna a chur ar fáil chun léargais, saineolas agus eolas ag leibhéil go léir ar fud na heagraíochta a roinnt. Táimid tiomanta áit oibre comhlíontaí agus forásaí a sholáthar a bhreiseofar leis an timpeallacht oibre nua inár Lárionad Cheantar na ndugaí inar athlonnaíodh oifigí ComReg i Meitheamh Éascaíonn an phlean oscailte le faisnéis a roinnt agus le comhoibriú.

123 An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Leanaimid ag obair ó na boinn atá againn - ag nuashonrú ár mbeartas agus dea-chleachtas de réir ár luachanna agus na reachtaíochta. Táimid tiomanta a chinntiú go bhforbraíonn éagsúlacht, go bpléitear le comhghleacaithe go léir go cothrom agus le meas agus go bhfuil siad feasach ar an gcineál iompraíochta atá inghlactha agus an cineál iompraíochta nach bhfuil inghlactha. Is é an cuspóir atá ag ár gclár oibre folláine gníomhaí ná béim a chur ar thábhacht aire a thabhairt do shláinte choirp agus aigne. Déanaimid é sin trí rochtain ar shaineolaithe a éascú agus trid an smaointeoireacht is déanaí ar fholláine iomlánaíoch. Rolladh amach córas nua AD i 2017 a mhéadaigh éifeachtúlacht mar ní rabhamar ag brath ar phróisis láimhe as sin amach. Táimid ag úsáid an chórais chun críocha Foghlama agus Forbartha agus oibríochtúla agus táthar ag súil é sin a leathnú thar an gcéad 12 mhí le teacht trí éifeachtúlachtaí breise a chruthú i réimsí bainistiú meadrachta agus feidhmíochta. Tá a bhfuil bainte amach ag ComReg forbartha ar cháilíocht, tiomantas agus caighdeáin ghairmiúla na ndaoine atá ag obair anseo. Tá súil againn leanúint ar aghaidh ag forbairt air seo trí thionscnaimh nua agus athnuaite a thabhairt isteach amach anseo. Barr feabhas oibríochtúil Le linn na tréimhse faoi athbhreithniú lean ComReg ag iarraidh a bheith go héifeachtach agus go fuinniúil mar rialtóir ag úsáid na n-acmhainní riachtanacha chun freagairt do thimpeallacht atá ag athrú i gcónaí. Le linn na tréimhse faoi athbhreithniú d eisíomar 194 fhoilsiúchán. Déanaimid Measúnaithe Éifeachta Rialála freisin más cuí chun a chinntiú go seachnaímid ualacha rialála iomarcacha. Aithníonn ComReg an tábhacht a bheith suas chun dáta ina chuid taighde ar mhargaidh agus iompraíocht tomhaltóra. Oibríonn ComReg go háirithe leis an Institiúid um Thaighde Eacnamaíoch agus Sóisialta (ESRI) ar roinnt tionscadal taighde ar nós an taighde Price Lab a scrúdaigh freagairtí tomhaltóra as soláthróirí a lascadh agus an ról a bhíonn ag faisnéis sna cinntí a dhéanann custaiméirí. Creideann ComReg go ndoimhnítear ár dtuiscint ar na margaidh a rialaímid tri úsáid a bhaint as sonraí den sórt sin. Le linn na treímhse d oibrigh ComReg freisin ar thionscnaimh ríthábhachtacha eile. Nuashonraigh ComReg a fheidhm um Pleanáil Leanúnachais Ghnó. Chuir ComReg feabhas freisin lena fheidhmiúlacht um thuairisciú airgeadais. Lean ComReg le córas bainistithe tionscadail a chur i bhfeidhm do lucht foirne go léir. Plean Gníomhaíochta agus Cairt Chustaiméara ComReg Scéim Teanga na Gaeilge ComReg Tá ComReg feasach ar a chuid freagrachtaí maidir le saincheisteanna inbhuanaithe. Tá líon tionscnamh ghlasa in ionad lena n-áirítear úsáid iompar poiblí a chur chun cinn ag lucht foirne faoin scéim um spáráil cánach, rochtain foirne ar an scéim um rothaíocht chun na hoibre, úsáid bhoscaí athchúrsála agus bearta éifeachtúla lena n-áirítear soilse brathlasta in oifigí agus láithreacha eile agus amadóirí ar théitheoirí uisce. Leanfaidh ComReg ag cur bearta riachtanacha in ionad nuair is féidir chun ár lorg carbóin a laghdú. Éilítear ar ComReg a chinntiú go gcomhlíonaimid le haltanna 25, 26, 27 agus 28 den Act um Mhíchumas Déanaimid deimhin de go bhfuil na ceantair phoiblí dár bhfoirneamh inrochtana do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas. Déanaimid deimhin de go bhfuil ár seirbhísí poiblí príomhshrutha inrochtana do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas. Tá oifigeach rochtana ceaptha againn agus is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leo ar access@ comreg.ie Déanaimid deimhin de go mbíonn na seirbhísí agus na hearraí a cheannaímid inrochtana do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas. Déanaimid deimhin de go mbíonn an faisnéis a thugaimid curtha ar fáil i bhformáid inrochtana do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas.

124 44 Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise Ar aon dul le beartas ríomhsheirbhísí an Rialtais reatha leanann ComReg ag breisiú a chuid seirbhísí Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise. Le linn na tréimhse faoi athbhreithniú bhí athbhreithniú suntasach ar infreastruchtúr TF CommReg a tháinig go díreach i ndiaidh aistriú na heagraíochta go foirgneamh nua. Lean ComReg le feabhsú a chórais bhainistíochta tomhaltóra straitéisigh maidir le fiosrúcháin tomhaltóra agus gearáin á láimhseáil ag ComReg a phróiseáil. Áirítear sna gnéithe sin gabháil sonraí níos éifeachtúla agus cumasaíocht tuairiscithe bhreisithe. Lean ComReg freisin lena láithreacht dhigiteach a fhorbairt go príomhúil ag díriú ar an cónasctha agus na feidhmchláir a óstálann sé. Leanann ComReg ag infheistiú ina chórais oibríochtúla chun éifeachtúlacht a bhaint amach i luas feidhmchláir a phróiseáil m.sh. Ceadúnú Raidió, Saincheisteanna Tomhaltóra agus Údaruithe srl., agus úsáid níos éifeachtúla a dhéanamh d acmhainní foirne trí thascanna oibríochtúla a chórasú más féidir. Figiúr 20: Leathanach Baile Cumarsáid agus Rannpháirtíocht Is é ceann d aidhmeanna ComReg ná idirghníomhú go réamhghníomhach lena pháirtithe leasmhara. Tá réimse leathan páirtithe leasmhara ag Comreg ó thomhaltóirí aonair agus grúpaí ionadaithe nua go hoibritheoirí údaraithe, grúpaí ionadaithe tionscail chomh maith le comhlachtaí agus ranna rialtais idirnáisiúnta agus náisiúnta ina measc. Tuigimid go bhfuil an-tairbhe go deo ag baint le rannpháirtíocht oscailte agus macánta le paírtithe leasmhara go léir. Ag cur san áireamh an méid páirtithe leasmhara atá againn, déanann ComReg a chumarsáid agus a rannpháirtíocht a chomhoiriúnú do ghrúpaí leasmhara éagsúla. Úsáideann ComReg comhairliúcháin fhoirmiúla a thugann deis do pháirtithe leasmhara aiseolas a thabhairt agus tuairimí a chur in iúl maidir le bearta rialála agus cinntí rialála mholta a fhorbairt. Úsaideann ComReg painéil Chomhairliúcháin chun léargais a fháil ar shaincheisteanna tomhaltóra lena n-airítear saincheisteanna do thomhaltóirí le riachtanais inrochtaine. Óstálaimid freisin fóraim do pháirtithe leasmhara tionscail chun forbairt táiirgí mórdhíola rialaithe nua agus athruithe do tháirgí reatha a éascú. Cuireann na fóraim seo deis ar fáil freisin don tionscal, cumarsáid a dhéanamh linne ar shaincheisteanna reatha. Tagann ComReg os comhair Coistí an Oireachtais freisin nuair a iarrtar. Bhíomar os comhair Chomhchoiste an Oireachtais ar Chumarsáid, Gníomhú ar son na haeraide agus Comhshaol in Eanáir 2017 chun cúrsaí poist a phlé agus arís i mbealtaine 2017 chun ár Straitéis do agus fánaíocht a phlé.