merrion street

Communications Minister Pat Rabitte today announced a new Rural Broadband Scheme aiming to provide universal broadband access in Ireland by the end of 2012.

The scheme aims to identify the remaining areas of the country still unable to obtain broadband service through a public application process and to bring a broadband service to them. This will be achieved either through existing private sector service providers or through a service provider procured by Government.

The Minister said of the scheme...

The combination of private and public investment in telecommunications infrastructure has meant over 99% broadband coverage for the whole country. I am now launching this Scheme to identify the remaining small percentage of premises that have not been able to procure a broadband service and to provide broadband to such premises which cannot be served by the existing market. My Department will be accepting applications for a three month period starting now, so there will be ample opportunity for people to come forward with details of premises that cannot obtain a service.