Broadband Now In Every Irish District | The Irish Film & Television Network

Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to deliver such a scheme on a national basis and has met the EU target for broadband availability, two years in advance. A service with a minimum download speed of 1.6Mbps and maximum of 6.8Mbps with a contention ratio of 22:1 has been made available for 235,000 premises across every county in Ireland, creating 170 jobs in the process through 3 Ireland. Built into the contract is a provision that speeds will be increased to a maximum of 10 Mbps by October 2012.

Minister Ryan commented on the successful implementation of the scheme, saying: “This is the most significant milestone in Ireland’s broadband story. Two years ago, I committed that the Government would deliver broadband to every district in the country. I am pleased to announce today that we have succeeded in our plans.

“We now have a platform for future advances. Broadband has been successfully delivered to all NBS areas. We are now at over 99% coverage for the whole country. I will announce a new Rural Broadband Scheme in the New Year which will ensure that we get to the remainder – less than 1%.This is truly ‘access all areas for broadband’. Now that we have this base, there is no limit to the possibilities.”

A recent study carried out by economist Jim Power shows that the spin-off benefits of widespread broadband access can be significant in regional areas. It estimates that in Donegal, the Scheme will deliver €25 m to the local economy, in Galway €53 m, €40 m in Kerry and €26.9 m in Mayo.

The National Broadband Scheme is co-funded by the Exchequer, the EU and 3 Ireland. The Department of Communications will monitor the scheme on a monthly basis until 2014.

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