Rural Wicklow is ‘being failed by broadband’

A new report reveals that certain parts of Wicklow have broadband speeds 36 times lower than in urban areas.

The report by Switcher measures the average broadband speeds across the State.

Fianna Fáil TD, Pat Casey, says the report’s findings show that the Government is failing rural Wicklow on broadband delivery.

He said: ‘It’s simply not acceptable that homeowners and business owners in Laragh, Donard, Hacketstown and Carnew are being forced to accept speeds that can average 2.5Mbps, when users in urban areas are accessing broadband well in excess of 30 or 40Mbps.

‘ The average connection across the country was recorded at 24Mbps – this is still 20 per cent below the minimum level set as part of the National Broadband Plan. Our average figures wouldn’t even meet the US standard for what constitutes broadband. The FCC has previously said that speeds below 25Mbps should not be referred to as broadband.

‘ The Government has a long way to go to ensure that rural communities can access decent, high-speed broadband services. What’s more, the Government has a long way to go to convince me that it has the capacity to deliver on its commitments.’

The data collected by Switcher also suggests that as few as a quarter of households (25 per cent) could be receiving speeds of 30Mbps or more, the minimum target set out in the National Broadband Plan. 37 per cent of the total tests collected showed download speeds of less than 5 Mbps.

Deputy Casey added that the current commitments made by Minister Denis Naughten to achieve 30Mbps are in complete contrast to what the European Commission believe communities should be able to access.

‘ The European Commission believe, quite rightly in my opinion, that 100Mbps is the minimum standard. This is what we should be aiming towards, and not a sub-par standard that is already out of date.

‘ Two things have happened under the current Minister – the timetable for rolling out the National Broadband Plan has been pushed out, and out, until what looks like mid-2023, and the actual quality of what’s proposed to be rolled out is lightyears behind what’s needed by communities. The Minister needs to outline what measures he will take to speed up the roll out of the National Plan, and whether he will commit to increasing the standards as set by the European Commission,’ concluded Deputy Casey.