Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
41. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 300 high-speed internet hubs announced under the national broadband plan on 19 November 2019 will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33300/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBroadband Connection Points (BCPs) will be among the first sites connected under the National Broadband Plan and represent a collaboration between my Department, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Local Authorities and the communities that will host BCP services.
National Broadband Ireland, the company contracted to deliver the National Broadband Plan, will deliver the initial connectivity, followed by Vodafone Ireland, who will install and support the wifi access points at the BCPs.
At present, there are over 200 public access BCP sites scheduled for connection before the end of 2020 in addition to 75 school BCPs. Up to 100 further sites are expected to be connected in early 2021.
As of Friday 23rd October, 68 public access BCPs had been installed with wifi equipment, with new sites being added every day.
By the end of the connection phase of the project, there will be BCPs in every county in Ireland, many offering opportunities for connected working, access to eHealth services and a number of educational and training programmes.
