Thirty new jobs are to be created in Mullingar at the headquarters of Satellite Broadband, it was announced yesterday.
The new positions are to come on stream as a result of a contract from mobile broadband provider, 3 Ireland, under the Government’s National Broadband Scheme to provide faster internet services to rural homes and businesses.
It is hoped that the Mullingar-based company, which currently employs 10 people, will provide satellite broadband services to up to 5 per cent of the 223,000 targeted buildings throughout rural Ireland under the Government’s broadband roll-out.
Co-founders of Satellite Broadband Ireland, Kevin Ryan and Sean Óg Brennan, yesterday expressed their delight at being awarded the contract.
“We are delighted that our company has won the contract for satellite broadband with ‘3’...This partnership with ‘3’ demonstrates that indigenous Irish companies are continuing to move forward and create jobs and direct investment despite the challenging economic climate,” said Mr Ryan.
Mr Brennan added; “Through the National Broadband Scheme, our satellite broadband service will connect people in un-served areas to an efficient broadband service delivered via the latest satellite technology.”
Also speaking at the announcement, Damien Gallagher of 3 paid tribute to Satellite Broadband Ireland’s “cutting-edge, innovative technology and their highly-skilled and experienced Irish workforce”; while Communications Minister Eamon Ryan described the announcement as “great news for Mullingar and the surrounding midlands”.
“Not only is the National Broadband Scheme a crucial element in realising our broadband ambitions, but it’s creating sustainable, domestic employment as it progresses. This goes to show that the National Broadband Scheme has brought new smart jobs to Mullingar, and it will continue to bring these jobs to other parts of the country as it progresses,” he added.
Welcoming the news, Westmeath’s Deputy Willie Penrose, Labour’s spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said the news represented the “first ray of light” in the county in recent months.
In fact, so impressed with the company’s innovation is Deputy Penrose, that he has decided to invite the company to appear before the Government’s Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment in the coming weeks to showcase their company.
“This is very welcome news in the midst of very difficult economic conditions. That this company is in a position to announce 30 jobs is the first positive hope and ray of light in recent times.
“It is a very forward-looking and innovative company, and to invest in people at this time is a sign that the company is expanding and is in for the long haul. It is very encouraging and a great vote of confidence in Mullingar.
“I hope as many as possible of the jobs will go to local people, as a number of people have lost their jobs in recent times,” he added.
