PROGRESS ON BROADBAND IN LOUTH RAISED
Progress on targets to secure high speed broadband for homes and businesses throughout Louth was raised in the Dail this week.
Louth TD Declan Breathnach raised the issue with Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten.
Deputy Breathnach asked for an update on ‘ the status of the commitment to provide high speed broadband to each house and business in County Louth; the deadline, and the number of homes and businesses which have access to high speed broadband; the number of additional homes and businesses which received access to high speed broadband in 2017; and the number which will receive access in 2018.’
The Minister said that the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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.’
He added that according to recent figures there are nearly 60,500 premises in County Louth.
‘Over 8,500 (14%) will be served by state led intervention. Nearly 51,000 will be served by commercial providers, and some 1,000 (2%) to be served by eir’s planned rural deployment.’
‘According to figures provided by eir the company had passed some 6,700 premises in County Louth as of 2017. An additional 881 premises have been passed in the first quarter of 2018. The remaining (some 1,000) will be covered by eir during the remainder of their roll out.’
The Minister added that Broadband Officers have been appointed as acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities.