Commission for Communications Regulation
Encyclopedia
The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the general communication
s regulator for the Republic of Ireland, covering almost all possible types of communications.
Founded on December 1, 2002, ComReg took over from the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR), amongst other bodies. The ODTR was established in 1997 to take over the licensing and regulatory functions of the Minister for Transport, Energy & Communication
which related primarily to broadcasting and communications. The first (and only) Director of Telecommunications Regulation was Etain Doyle, who was subsequently appointed Chairperson of ComReg, on its establishment.
Under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 the Minister for Communications, Marine, and Natural Resources appoints the chairperson and up to two other commissioners of ComReg. Currently the commissioners are Mike Byrne, John Doherty and Alex Chisholm (Chairperson)
Sectors regulated by ComReg include post
, telecoms, internet
, cable television
, terrestrial television
, radio
and domain name
under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 (No. 20 of 2002), S.I. No. 510 of 2002 Communications Regulation Act 2002 (Establishment Day) Order 2002 and other acts. For a full list of legislation underpinning ComReg's responsibilities see:http://www.comreg.ie/about_us/legislation.501.html
ComReg set prices, allocate frequencies, and issue licenses to those involved in these sectors and provides statistical data, consumer product price comparisons to assist consumers in achieving value for money on a fair basis. In relation to terrestrial television and radio, the commission acts in conjunction with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland soon to be revised as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
. The BCI grants programme contracts to radio and television stations other than those operated by RTÉ
, TG4. Until the Broadcasting Bill 2008
was enacted TV3
was the only terrestrial TV channel regulated by the BCI. After enactment RTÉ and TG4 Authorities will be disbanded and come under the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's new remit. For more on the BCI see Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
.
ComReg is also tasked with enforcing wireless telegraphy legislation in relation to use of the radio spectrum, which includes actions against pirate radio
stations and other unauthorised users of radio spectrum.
In September 2004, ComReg launched their consumer driven website, AskComreg.ie. Since then it has added ComStat.iehttp://www.comstat.ie to provide market communications industry statistics to industry and academia and CallCosts.ie http://www.callcosts.ie which provides the tariff models of all telecoms products for consumers to compare product prices and make the best choices for themselves.
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s regulator for the Republic of Ireland, covering almost all possible types of communications.
Founded on December 1, 2002, ComReg took over from the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR), amongst other bodies. The ODTR was established in 1997 to take over the licensing and regulatory functions of the Minister for Transport, Energy & Communication
Minister for Transport (Ireland)
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is the senior minister at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is Leo Varadkar, TD...
which related primarily to broadcasting and communications. The first (and only) Director of Telecommunications Regulation was Etain Doyle, who was subsequently appointed Chairperson of ComReg, on its establishment.
Under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 the Minister for Communications, Marine, and Natural Resources appoints the chairperson and up to two other commissioners of ComReg. Currently the commissioners are Mike Byrne, John Doherty and Alex Chisholm (Chairperson)
Sectors regulated by ComReg include post
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
, telecoms, internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
, terrestrial television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
, radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and domain name
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 (No. 20 of 2002), S.I. No. 510 of 2002 Communications Regulation Act 2002 (Establishment Day) Order 2002 and other acts. For a full list of legislation underpinning ComReg's responsibilities see:http://www.comreg.ie/about_us/legislation.501.html
ComReg set prices, allocate frequencies, and issue licenses to those involved in these sectors and provides statistical data, consumer product price comparisons to assist consumers in achieving value for money on a fair basis. In relation to terrestrial television and radio, the commission acts in conjunction with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland soon to be revised as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was established on 1 October 2009 effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ....
. The BCI grants programme contracts to radio and television stations other than those operated by RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
, TG4. Until the Broadcasting Bill 2008
Broadcasting Bill 2008
The Broadcasting Act 2009 is an Act of the Oireachtas of Ireland. It was signed into law on 12 July 2009, although the provisions relating to the establishment of the new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland did not come into force until a Statutory Instrument was made giving them effect on 30...
was enacted TV3
TV3 Ireland
TV3 is a free-to-air commercial television network in the Republic of Ireland. Launched on 20 September 1998 it was Ireland's first commercial broadcaster. The channel is owned by TV3 Group a subsidiary of Doughty Hanson & Co.-The TV3 Group:...
was the only terrestrial TV channel regulated by the BCI. After enactment RTÉ and TG4 Authorities will be disbanded and come under the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's new remit. For more on the BCI see Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was established on 1 October 2009 effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ....
.
ComReg is also tasked with enforcing wireless telegraphy legislation in relation to use of the radio spectrum, which includes actions against pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
stations and other unauthorised users of radio spectrum.
In September 2004, ComReg launched their consumer driven website, AskComreg.ie. Since then it has added ComStat.iehttp://www.comstat.ie to provide market communications industry statistics to industry and academia and CallCosts.ie http://www.callcosts.ie which provides the tariff models of all telecoms products for consumers to compare product prices and make the best choices for themselves.