National Broadband Plan rollout in Westmeath completes
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Westmeath County Council have announced the completion of the National Broadband Plan’s main infrastructure build works in Westmeath.
The milestone marks a step forward for rural communities, as high-speed fibre broadband is now available to homes, farms, businesses and schools in areas that previously had no access to reliable, high-speed connectivity.
Westmeath is the latest county to reach this stage of the National Broadband Plan rollout, following recent county completion milestones in Kilkenny, Longford, Tipperary and Meath as the national programme moves through its final phase of delivery.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, TD, said: “Today’s announcement is another example of the progress being made under the National Broadband Plan.
“The National Broadband Plan is the largest infrastructure project in rural Ireland since electrification. In Westmeath, this €46 million government investment is delivering world class fibre broadband to support communities, local businesses, and entrepreneurs. This essential infrastructure is strengthening Westmeath’s important agricultural and equine sectors by improving access to digital innovation, international markets and opportunities for growth.
“The National Broadband Plan is about ensuring that every part of the country can benefit from the opportunities of a connected digital future.”
NBI’s fibre rollout is delivering broadband infrastructure to what is known as the state’s Intervention Area, which includes the most remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed broadband.
The network delivers minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms and schools, providing the infrastructure needed to support modern digital life.
More than 12,000 premises in Westmeath have now been passed by the NBI network and can order a high-speed fibre broadband connection – 5,713 premises are already connected to the network to date.
Barry Kehoe, chief executive of Westmeath County Council, said: “This investment in broadband infrastructure represents a significant milestone for County Westmeath and highlights the real value of strong collaboration between local authorities and National Broadband Ireland. The delivery of high-speed connectivity is truly transformative, opening up new opportunities for our communities, businesses and public services.
“It ensures that people across Westmeath can now access reliable, world-class digital services, supporting remote working, education, innovation and economic growth, while enhancing the overall quality of life for our citizens.”
TJ Malone, chief executive officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “Reaching over 12,000 premises in Westmeath required a major engineering and deployment effort, particularly in rural and dispersed areas, and I want to acknowledge the work of our teams, contractors, Westmeath County Council and local communities in helping to deliver this milestone.
“With 5,713 premises already connected in Westmeath, we are seeing really strong demand from homes, farms and businesses who recognise the value of reliable, high-speed fibre broadband. This network is transforming what is possible in rural Ireland, enabling people to work remotely, access online education and healthcare, grow businesses, adopt new technologies and stay connected. We encourage every eligible home and business in Westmeath to check their Eircode and place an order through their preferred broadband provider.”
With construction now at an advanced stage nationwide, NBI has confirmed that the main build of the fibre network remains on track for completion by the end of this year. The network will enable high-speed broadband access for 566,000 homes, farms and businesses across rural Ireland, an increase of 29,000 premises from the original 537,000 identified at the time of contract signing.
Nationally, more than 498,000 homes, farms and businesses have now been passed by the NBI network and can order a fibre broadband connection, and more than 181,000 are connected so far as demand continues to accelerate. In many areas where the network has been live for longer, take-up already surpasses 60%, reflecting strong national appetite for world-class fibre connectivity.
Communities across Ireland, including homes, farms, small businesses and schools, are now able to access fibre broadband capable of supporting remote work, online learning, digital health services, agri-tech, tourism and local enterprise.
Residents and businesses in NBI’s rollout area can check their Eircodes on the NBI website to confirm availability and view the list of broadband providers offering services over the network. NBI is a wholesale network operator, meaning homes and businesses order services through broadband providers rather than directly from NBI.