Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is currently rolling out a high speed and future-proofed broadband network. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 672 schools.
NBI are connecting circa 4,000 homes each month and NBI expect to have passed in excess of 300,000 premises by the end of 2024.
I am advised by NBI that over 261,500 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 85,00 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan’s high-speed broadband network.
The network roll-out for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is divided into 227 (DAs) across the country. These typically measure approximately 25km in radius and cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass.
While delivery of the Programme is the responsibility of NBI under the Contract, my Department continues to monitor delivery very closely. This is in accordance with the Department’s role under the contract. In parallel with the ongoing oversight of the contract with NBI, my Department has also been working with Directors of Service and Broadband Officers from each of the 31 Local Authorities, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the County and City Management Agency (CCMA), the Road Management Office (RMO) and other Government Departments, where appropriate, to ensure that any possible barriers that might delay the roll-out are addressed as soon as possible.
Engagement with other bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail and ComReg have also been undertaken.
The timeline for the completion of the roll-out of the high-speed broadband network by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is 2027. NBI are confident that they will deliver the full programme within the originally scheduled seven-year timeline, while my Department continues to explore opportunities with NBI to further expediate the programme.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
