The latest phase of the Government’s €65m 19-town broadband rollout got under way in Mayo today.
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern TD, launched today’s €3.75m Mayo rollout, which is hoped to attract inwards investment.
The ambitious national plan kicked off earlier this year with an €11m fibre optic network circling Cork with the second stage of the rollout launching in Galway earlier this week.
It’s hoped that the Mayo project will be completed by July and if all goes to plan it will be the first of the national projects to be finalised.
Towns from Donegal to Cork will be connected to the backbone broadband running through the country. Once it is finished next year it’ll provide cheap always-on access to the internet.
Speaking at the launch in Mayo, Minister Ahern said: “Ballina and its hinterland are moving into the new business age. The traditional industries are making way for the new technology-based companies that see an opportunity for expansion and growth in the information age. The network will ensure plans for expansion and development can press ahead.”
He added: “To give a measure of the potential of the new network just one of the 96 fibres being installed in Ballina is capable of simultaneously carrying all the voice traffic in the world. The new metropolitan area network will provide more than 60 drop points to premises in Ballina and a further 15 in the Kiltimagh area.”
By Suzanne Byrne
