Cork councillors seeking more progress on the rollout of broadband in North Cork
A LETTER is to be sent to National Broadband Ireland (NBI) on behalf of the Northern Committee, seeking more progress on the rollout of broadband in North Cork.
The issue was raised at a recent meeting by Fine Gael councillor John Paul O’Shea, who acknowledged there had been ‘significant’ progress on the rollout, but he requested for more to be done in the Grenagh deployment area: “In relation to the broadband rollout, I know there have been some significant steps made in the last six months. We are seeking a bit of progress in North Cork. There is one area that currently affects North Cork that has not progressed to survey which is the Grenagh deployment area. It is not just Grenagh village, it is the whole deployment area which comes as far as Kilshannig and other areas.
“4,183 households are affected by it,” Cllr O’Shea said. “Would it be worthwhile from this committee to write to the NBI, requesting that this would proceed to survey as quickly as possible? A lot of the areas have been surveyed and are awaiting build out at the moment. Our own area in Kanturk is being built at the moment and great progress is being made.
“When you see people on the ground putting up new poles and cutting back the overgrowth surrounding the trees, it is good to see progress being made. There is a need for high-speed broadband for every household in the country. It is very worthwhile. We need to get things moving in the Grenagh deployment area as quickly as possible,” he added.
Director of Service with Cork County Council Louis Duffy gave an update on the rollout of the national broadband plan to the councillors: “National Broadband Plan continues to make progress although somewhat slow progress in Cork and North Cork in particular. Almost 23,000 premises have had the network built and will shortly be available for customers to take up the service. We are hoping they will continue to increase the pace of roll-out.
“NBI are continually trying to increase the resources available for deployment. Some areas are ahead of others on the programme. I have no issue with members writing to National Broadband Ireland,” he added.