Preparatory work underway in Clare for Broadband rollout

WORKS to prepare for the installation of high-speed broadband infrastructure are underway currently in a number of areas of East and South East Clare, National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has confirmed. 

The organisation said that over 3,600 premises around Kilkishen have been surveyed to-date, with network designs completed to deliver the new Fibre to the Home (FTTH) network in the area.

NBI crews have started initial works for the build in townlands including Kilkishen, Sixmilebridge, Latoon, Ballyhannon, Cloughlea, Bunratty, Shannon and Spancilhill.

 These are described as ‘make ready’ works which will pave the way for the next stage of deploying fibre on poles/ducts, and include the erection of poles, unblocking of ducts, and the insertion of subduct into existing ducts, for the fibre to be installed.

In this county, there are 22,719 premises in the Intervention Area (IA). These include homes, farms, commercial businesses and schools. This equates to 33% of all premises in the county. The investment in this county is an estimated €89 million.

In advance of the FTTH roll out, the NBP provides for the delivery of Broadband Connection Points (BCP’s) nationwide. 453 of these sites are now ‘live’ and have both internal and external broadband access.

These facilities – which include sports clubs, community centres and tourist sites – will provide free public access to high-speed internet in the rollout area.

These BCP’s will pave the way for rural communities to receive the benefits of broadband, from mobile working, e-learning and mobile banking, to digital tourism.

Some of the BCP locations already connected in Clare are Loughraney Kids Playschool, Cree Community Centre, Michael Cusack Visitor Centre, Caherconnell Stone Fort, and Loop Head Lighthouse and Visitor Centre. Primary schools in the Intervention Area are also being connected for educational access.

NBI chief executive Peter Hendrick said the company was satisfied with the progress being made.

“Momentum has been steadily building in the progression of the National Broadband Plan rollout, with homes across the country being connected to high-speed broadband,” he said.

“Our teams continue to work on the rollout plan and substantial progress has been made from surveying, design, build to connection works. As an increasing number of homes and businesses are being connected, we are confident that the rollout will continue to gather pace as we look to connect thousands more homes and businesses.”

“We are currently working closely with retail service providers, and other stakeholders, to connect homes in County Clare. Minimum speeds of 500Mb will be available. Our mission is to end the digital divide across the country.

“Digital connectivity is critical to many of our activities, and this new Fibre-to-the-Home network, will be a key enabler for the sustainability of local businesses and communities.”

The website, NBI.ie, is regularly updated to show estimated connection dates. Householders can also sign up to the NBI email notifications to get the most up-to-date information.

NBI’s contact centre can be reached at 0818 624 624 (lo-call) or by email to contactus@nbi.ie.