Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding is being invested, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the creation of high-speed open-access broadband networks and fibre trunks. These facilities will remain in State ownership while allowing the service providers open access at competitive costs.
The first phase of my Department's regional broadband programme, in which metropolitan area networks, MANs, are being built in 26 towns and cities, is nearing completion. In the second phase of the programme, MANs will be built in a further 92 towns of 1,500 population and over, in association with the local authorities.
Navan and Trim are among the first 35 towns to be approved under this second phase. These projects will begin construction this summer. Proposals for Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Clonee and Ashbourne were received in December 2004 and are being appraised. Laytown-Bettystown, Kells, Duleek and Athboy will be invited as part of the next call under this programme, due later this year.
For rural communities and smaller towns, my Department's group broadband scheme offers funding assistance for community groups to come together with the service providers and obtain broadband connectivity for their area using the most appropriate delivery system, such as satellite, wireless, digital subscriber line, DSL, or cable. Up to 55% funding is available towards capital costs under the scheme.
Full details of the regional broadband programme and group broadband scheme are on my Department's websites, www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.gov.ie.
