Now that the national Broadband Plan has been sigend off, what does it actually mean for homes and businesses in the north west?
The controversial €3b euro national plan is to begin rolling out in the coming months.
While taxpayers money is being used, in the end it will be privately owned and operated by US based firm Granahan McCourt.
The beginning stages of the estimated 7 year project is due to start in January 2020 with the first areas coming online by the end of the year.
The initial focus will be on more than 300 broadband connection points that will be based in areas such as GAA clubs and community centres.
12 of these will be based in Sligo, 7 in North Leitrim and a further 3 in South Donegal.
By the end of 2021 it’s aimed to have around 130,000 of the total 540,000 premises connected going up to 40% by the end of 2022 and 95% of the target areas by the end of the 5th year.
This translates into around 1.1m people nationally.
National Broadband Ireland is to emply around 650 people directly and indirectly in the first year.
While not yet available, there is a plan to use your Eircode to find out when the service is planned to be in your area.
What about the cost?
Well, Minister for Communications Richard Bruton inists that the average customer in a rural area will pay the same as an urbab customer with an initial charge of €100 for installation.
As infrastructure is built to implement the service, the waiting game will be played to see if this statement rings though.
Speaking on OceanFM’s North West Today this morning, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, says high speed broadband is the future.
Time will tell if the investment is worth the high price tag as the beginning of the 7 year development begins shortly.
