Athlone to benefit from major new broadband announcement

Athlone is one of the initial 50 towns to benefit as part of a €450m joint venture between ESB and Vodafone to build a 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network.
A joint statement says the new initiative will offer speeds from 200 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, propelling Ireland into the ranks of the world’s fastest broadband countries.
Ireland will become the first country in Europe to utilise existing electricity infrastructure on a nationwide basis to deploy fibre directly into homes and businesses, initially reaching 500,000 premises in 50 towns.
The fibre will be deployed on ESB’s existing overhead and underground infrastructure.
The statement said: “With recent data from ComReg, the Irish telecoms regulator, showing that 43% of fixed broadband customers in Ireland receive speeds of 10 Mbps or less, direct access to 100% fibre broadband of up to one gigabit per second will transform the internet experience of small and medium businesses (SME), remote workers and consumers.
“This will help regional areas to compete more effectively for investment and jobs, and SMEs to work more efficiently, enhance their online presence and reach new markets and customers. Consumers will enjoy innovations ranging from home entertainment to e-health and virtual education. Home working will also become a real option for more people, helping Ireland to develop its smart economy. With global internet traffic set to triple in the next five years , the speed and reliability delivered by 100% fibre broadband will ensure Irish customers can lead the digital lives they want.”
Subject to European Commission approval, the 50:50 joint venture will begin rolling-out the new network across Ireland in the coming months, with the first customers able to avail of 100% fibre broadband from the start of 2015.
The initial phase of the project is expected to be fully rolled-out by the end of 2018, with scope for a second phase under the joint venture.
While the ESB and Vodafone joint venture will build and manage the network, open access will be offered to all telecoms operators in Ireland on a wholesale basis. This means that other operators can resell the fibre product to their customers.
Vodafone was selected as ESB’s joint venture partner following a competitive tender process.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte said: “Today’s announcement by ESB and Vodafone to create a joint venture company to deliver up to one gigabit of broadband speeds in 50 locations nationwide is a very exciting step in ensuring that regional towns can enjoy similar levels of connectivity to our cities, benefiting local business and helping to attract investment.”
Other local towns to benefit include Tullamore, Mullingar, Roscommon and Longford.