More than 38,000 premises in Galway are set to receive high-speed fibre broadband in 2021, with National Broadband Ireland crews having begun initial works in townlands outside the city.
The works, which are taking place in Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Claregalway, Furbo, Barna, Kilconnell, Annagh, and Ahascragh, are part of a €153-million investment in the fibre network in Galway, under the National Broadband Plan. Connected premises are expected to have standard download speeds of 500MB following completion of the works.
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A total of 38,714 premises in Galway will be connected under the scheme, with the first homes connected early next year. More than 3,500 premises have been surveyed to date, and network designs have been completed for the delivery of a Fibre-to-the-Home network in these areas. The current works will be followed by the deployment of fibre on poles or in ducts, as well as the erection of poles, unblocking of ducts, and the insertion of sub-ducts for the fibre to be installed.
NBI is responsible for designing, building and operating a new network in the “rollout area” where commercial operators have indicated that they will not be providing such services.
Connectivity is key
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Minister of State at the Department of Transport, and Fine Gael Galway West TD, Hildegarde Naughton [pictured above] has welcomed the move, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic has affected work and daily living.
“We are witnessing a fundamental change in the way we live and work, and connectivity is key," she said. "More and more of our social and commercial interaction is online, and our infrastructural investment has to reflect that. High-speed broadband has never been more important for homes, farms, businesses and community organisations."
She said, when completed, the new network will enable greater e-learning, remote working, e-health initiatives, the wider use of agri-technology, more online commerce, and better energy efficiency in homes.
