The Western Development Commission has welcomed the Government’s National Broadband Scheme which will see broadband rolled out to all parts of the western region by September 2010.
“Broadband brings considerable benefits to rural businesses and communities so this is a positive announcement. People living in rural areas will gain access to online services, and broadband will also mean that more people can run businesses from home and telework. Teleworking, especially in times of economic downturn, can be an attractive option for both business owners and their employees. It can lessen overhead and energy costs for employers and reduce travel costs for employees. It can also benefit the environment with fewer car journeys lowering carbon emissions,” said Dr Patricia O’Hara, policy manager at the WDC.
The WDC, which has played a strong role in making the case for broadband in rural areas, stresses that broadband can support the viability and competitiveness of existing jobs and remove a major barrier to attracting new investment and jobs to rural areas. “It is essential to positioning Ireland in the knowledge or smart economy,” Dr O’Hara added.
“Nationally, 39 per cent of people live in rural areas but the figure for the western region is much higher at 68 per cent. Up to now the region has been badly served with less than 20 per cent of households with a broadband connection, so the announcement is particularly significant for the west,” she added.
Dr O’Hara explained that the full switchover from analogue to digital TV, planned for 2012, could provide a real opportunity to address problems with speeds and quality of service.
