European investment in rural broadband is a positive step – Mulherin

The European Investment Bank announcement of funding for the National Broadband Plan will help the roll out of broadband across Mayo, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Michelle Mulherin said: “The approval of a €500 million investment in the high speed telecommunication network in Ireland is a very positive step.

“The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector.

“Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of 2018 and by 2020 it is expected that 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection with a download speed of at least 30 megabits per second.

“One of the biggest challenges facing rural Ireland is to bridge the digital divide with urban areas. To remedy this situation for at least the next 25 years, we will guarantee the delivery of next-generation broadband to every household and business in the country. No town, village or parish will be left behind under the National Broadband Plan.

“This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. By 2020, 90% of Ireland will have access to high speed broadband,” the Mayo Senator said.