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National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (1011)

Carol Nolan

Question:

1011. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the national broadband plan in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5250/20]

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Written answers

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was signed with the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November last to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area, which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms, along with 695 schools. The planned rollout will provide access to high speed broadband to 12,385 premises located in the Intervention Area in County Laois and 12,108 premises located in County Offaly through a combined investment of approximately €49m in respect of County Laois and €48m in respect of County Offaly over 25 years.

All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. 

To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) are scheduled to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment.  The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs and local sports are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie.  It should be noted that some BCP locations may be subject to change. 

These BCPs will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing, which will facilitate detailed design and installation.  

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