High speed broadband to be delivered for 12 additional communities in Louth – Fitzpatrick

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, this week attended a briefing hosted by open eir, the wholesale division of eir to discuss the availability of high speed broadband in Louth. Deputy Fitzpatrick highlighted the importance of delivering high speed broadband in rural areas.

“While more than 46,000 homes and businesses across 17 communities in Louth can already avail of high speed broadband, there are still many rural areas, particularly in North Louth where broadband standards are way below par. This is an issue I raised during the meeting.

“Open eir has committed that the number of homes and businesses with access to high speed broadband will rise to over 57,000, benefiting 12 communities including Ardee, Castlebellingham, Carlingford, Drogheda, Dundalk, Dunleer, Hackballscross, Louth village, Omeath, Ravensdale, Riverstown and Termonfeckin.
 
“There is no doubt that open eir and other broadband providers are playing a vital role in providing high quality broadband for homes and for businesses in Louth. Top speed broadband is essential to support jobs and to provide new opportunities, especially for those in rural areas. Broadband is helping businesses move online and capture new markets and it brings a much broader range of entertainment options into the home

“The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investments, such as those by open eir, and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.

“I am determined to continue to pursue this issue and to ensure that the best broadband services are available to the people of rural Louth.”