Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (448)

David Stanton

Question:

448. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost to date of the metropolitan area networks; the locations at which MANs are available; the uptake in these areas of the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25589/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme was developed to address the 2004 policy objectives of removing barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI), increasing regional telecoms competition and reducing the cost of telecoms.

The MANs Programme, which was eligible for co-funding of 40-50% under the European Regional Development Fund, has cost in the region of €174million to date. Under Phase I of this Programme, 28 MANs were completed and 60 MANs, covering 66 towns, were constructed under Phase II. The MANs which are regionally dispersed enhance the attractiveness of the locations for indigenous and foreign investment. A list of the MANs and their respective locations follows.

The MANs are managed, operated, maintained and marketed by e|net, on behalf of the State. There has been significant improvement over the last few years in the take-up by service providers of the MANs. Of the 88 MANs, 81 are currently "lit", that is, connected to backhaul and in use by one or more telecoms service providers. It is estimated that in excess of 600,000 individuals and business users are benefitting from the MANs infrastructure.

Since the inception of the MANs Programme, demand for bandwidth has increased significantly and this increase is expected to continue. Almost all broadband service providers, (including DSL, mobile, cable, wireless), are increasingly turning to optical fibre to backbone their networks. Service providers will continue to bring optical fibre closer to their end users. The MANs are ready to meet the demand for fibre connectivity and to serve the needs of service providers and their end users for the foreseeable future.

Phase One

-	Town	County
1	Cavan	Cavan
2	Kingscourt	Cavan
3	Cork	Cork
4	Carlow	Carlow
5	Letterkenny	Donegal
6	Gweedore	Donegal
7	Galway	Galway
8	Kilkenny	Kilkenny
9	Portlaoise	Laois
10	Carrick on Shannon	Leitrim
11	Manorhamiltom	Leitrim
12	Limerick	Limerick
13	Dundalk	Louth
14	Drogheda	Louth
15	Ballina	Mayo
16	Belmullet	Mayo
17	Kiltimagh	Mayo
18	Carrickmacross	Monaghan
19	Monaghan	Monaghan
20	Tullamore	Offaly
21	Roscommon	Roscommon
22	Sligo	Sligo
23	Clonmel	Tipperary
24	Dungarvan	Waterford
25	Waterford	Waterford
26	Athlone	Westmeath
27	Mullingar	Westmeath
28	Wexford	Wexford

Phase 2

-	Town	County
1	Cootehill	Cavan
2	Kilrush	Clare
3	Bantry	Cork
4	Blarney	Cork
5	Carrigaline	Cork
6	Charleville	Cork
7	Dunmanway	Cork
8	Fermoy	Cork
9	Kanturk	Cork
10	Kinsale	Cork
11	Midleton	Cork
12	Mitchelstown	Cork
13	Passage West	Cork
14	Ringaskiddy	Cork
15	Skibbereen	Cork
16	Youghal	Cork
17	Ballybofey	Donegal
18	Ballyshannon	Donegal
19	Buncrana	Donegal
20	Bundoran	Donegal
21	Carndonagh	Donegal
22	Donegal Town	Donegal
23	Stranorlar	Donegal
24	Donabate	Dublin
25	Portrane	Dublin
26	Lusk	Dublin
27	Skerries	Dublin
28	Athenry	Galway
29	Ballinasloe	Galway
30	Clifden	Galway
31	Gort	Galway
32	Loughrea	Galway
33	Killarney	Kerry
34	Castleisland	Kerry
35	Tralee	Kerry
36	Listowel	Kerry
37	Thomastown	Kilkenny
38	Abbefeale	Limerick
39	Newcastlewest	Limerick
40	Longford	Longford
41	Ardee	Louth
42	Ballinrobe	Mayo
43	Claremorris	Mayo
44	Knock	Mayo
45	Dunboyne	Meath
46	Clonee	Meath
47	Dunshaughlin	Meath
48	Kells	Meath
49	Navan	Meath
50	Trim	Meath
51	Bailieborough	Monaghan
52	Castleblaney	Monaghan
53	Clones	Monaghan
54	Nenagh	North Tipperary
55	Roscrea	North Tipperary
56	Templemore	North Tipperary
57	Edenderry	Offaly
58	Banagher	Offaly
59	Birr	Offaly
60	Cahir	South Tipperary
61	Carrick on Suir	South Tipperary
62	Tipperary	Tipperary
63	Cashel	Tipperary
64	Blessington	Wicklow
65	Kilcoole	Wicklow
66	Newtownmounkennedy	Wicklow