The potential of the National Broadband Scheme currently being rolled out across Ireland by communications company 3 could help transform rural life in County Mayo according to an economic impact report by well known economist Jim Power. The report says that if a high quality and affordable broadband offering like the NBS were to result in the creation of one new SME employing 10 people in each electoral district in Mayo, the economic and financial benefits to the county would be very significant. It would result in the creation of 1,120 jobs; it would result in a net wage injection of €26.9 million into the local economy, which would have an income multiplier effect of up to €53.76 million. It would result in a contribution of €6.72 million to the exchequer, and €896,000 per annum to the local authority. In total it could result in an injection of up to €61.4 million to the local and national economy per annum. Over a five-year period, this would have a net present value of €267.6 million.
Ireland’s fastest growing mobile network 3 is currently rolling out this much needed service to rural areas in Mayo and will have nearly 70 per cent of the affected areas covered by the end of the year. Broadband is now an essential part of the competitiveness of an economy and those countries or regions with better broadband penetration and quality tend to have a strong competitive advantage. The lack of broadband is seriously affecting rural businesses and the rural economy. Mobile broadband is deemed to be the best and most cost effective way to deliver 100 per cent coverage to rural areas.
“The availability of broadband in County Mayo is poor. High speed and affordable broadband has become an essential business tool and can no longer be regarded as a luxury service. Broadband is playing an increasingly important role in how economies and societies operate. It is a very important business tool as it connects businesses to each other, both within the host country of the business and externally. From a societal point of view broadband facilitates better communication, particularly in rural areas,” said Jim Power in his report.
“After a prolonged period of strong economic growth the Irish economy is now in the midst of a deep economic recession. One of the significant features of the strong Irish economic performance over the past couple of decades has been the unbalanced nature of regional economic growth and development. Not all regions have shared the same levels of growth, prosperity and buoyancy. The economic and social profile of Mayo in particular and the west in general is a source of concern. The region has not benefited from the Celtic Tiger era to anything like the extent than many other regions of the country have,” he continued.
