Some 33 new electoral districts in Kilkenny now have broadband with a minimum download speed of 1.6Mbps and maximum of 6.8Mbps available.
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan revealed this when he announced the successful delivery by 3 Ireland, of the €223 million National Broadband Scheme.
In two years, the scheme has brought a broadband service to 1,028 areas across rural Ireland that were previously unserved. Built into the contract is a provision that speeds will be increased to a maximum of 10 Mbps in the next 2 years. 3 has indicated that speeds of 40 Mbps are achievable by end 2011.
“This is the most significant milestone in Ireland’s broadband story,” said Minister Ryan.
“Two years ago, I committed that the Government would deliver broadband to every district in the country that was without a service. I am pleased to announce today that we have succeeded in our plans.
We now have a platform for future advances. Broadband has been successfully delivered to all NBS areas. We are now at over 99 per cent coverage for the whole country. I will announce a new Rural Broadband Scheme in the New Year which will ensure that we get to the remainder – less than 1 per cent.
This is truly ‘access all areas for broadband’. Now that we have this base, there is no limit to the possibilities.”
Robert Finnegan, CEO 3 said: “3’s high quality broadband offering will have enormous benefits for rural homes and businesses throughout the country.
Working from the home can become a reality for many and online banking; shopping and education will become the norm at last in these remote areas. A further bonus for people in NBS areas is that they can use their 3 broadband services on the move as well as in their household.”
The National Broadband Scheme is co-funded by the Exchequer, the EU and 3 Ireland. The Department of Communications will monitor the scheme on a monthly basis until 2014
