The failure to be able to supply broadband to rural Ireland was again highlighted this week. Over 150 local Kilmoganny residents have signed a petition asking Eircom to upgrade their local exchange to support broadband. It is ridiculous that local communities that are crying out for broadband have to organise petitions and campaigns. The people of Kilmoganny have rightly argued that a digital divide now exists between urban and rural area's. My parties Communications Spokesperson Tommy Broughan TD has contacted the Minister, Eircom and the Communications Regulator in relation to broadband for Kilmoganny.
What makes the matter worse is that Minister Dempsey scrapped the rural Group Broadband Scheme last month after investing more than €5million in it over the two years. He has admitted that the rollout of the rural broadband scheme had been ‘too slow’ after only 7,200 people signed up for the scheme out of a potential 400,000 subscribers.
I again make the point that is now up to the government to enter the wholesale broadband market. On the right of my blog you will see the varying ways broadband could be supplied to Kilmoganny. The government should via a semi state company upgrade the remaining exchanges or invest in other technologies to supply broadband. If the North of Ireland can claim 100% broadband coverage, it shows up what a mess we have left develop on supplying broadband in the republic
What makes the matter worse is that Minister Dempsey scrapped the rural Group Broadband Scheme last month after investing more than €5million in it over the two years. He has admitted that the rollout of the rural broadband scheme had been ‘too slow’ after only 7,200 people signed up for the scheme out of a potential 400,000 subscribers.
I again make the point that is now up to the government to enter the wholesale broadband market. On the right of my blog you will see the varying ways broadband could be supplied to Kilmoganny. The government should via a semi state company upgrade the remaining exchanges or invest in other technologies to supply broadband. If the North of Ireland can claim 100% broadband coverage, it shows up what a mess we have left develop on supplying broadband in the republic
6 comments:
Dead right. Broadband for rural areas is a must.
Nobody complained when The Mammy hived off Eircom in the first place.
Broadband is too slow and too late.
Broadband is COMPLETELY out of date. Eircom etc should be rolling out WiFi everywhere. Whether they do it now or in 10 years time, it's still going to be needed.
Eircom have now promised broadband for the village in years to come. Must be an election in the air or something.
IS THE GOVERMENT NOT EMBARRASED BY THE OUT OF DATE STATE OF OUR COUNTRY? I TRAVEL TO UK REGULARLY AND FEEL LIKE I AM STEPPING INTO THE NEXT CENTURY EACH TIME. MY DIAL UP IS SO SLOW I HAVE GIVEN UP AND TRAVEL TO MY LIBRARY THREE TIMES A WEEK SO I CAN HAVE BROADBAND ACCESS. I DON'T SEE BROADBAND COMING ANY TIME SOON ANY CHANCE OF A FUEL ALLOWANCE? HA!
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