Tag Archives: Eircom

FURTHER objections have been lodged in response to a plan from Eir to install a 21-metre mast on its exchange in Scariff.  Submissions are currently being accepted on the planning application, which could see the replacement of an existing 12-metre wooden structure with a much higher telecommunications mast with dishes, antennas and other equipment.  More concerns have been voiced locally, in recent days, this time from residents of the nearby Connaught Road and Derg View development. Additional letters of objection have estimated that the proposed structure would be located just ten metres from some of the homes in the adjacent estate. The submission contends that a mast on the scale of that proposed should not be allowed in such close proximity to the residential development.  Another submission, on behalf of a local family, says their property is already overlooked by the existing mast. “Increasing the height as proposed will result in an even larger eyesore”, the objection drawn up by …

A PLAN to install a 21-metre mast at the Eir exchange in Scariff is being considered by Clare County Council. If successful, the application from Eircom Limited, trading as Eir, would see the replacement of an existing 12 metre wooden pole with the much higher telecommunications mast with dishes, antennas and other equipment.  The plan has already encountered some opposition locally with objections from a number of residents. To-date, three people living close by have told planners the development will impact negatively on them, in terms of their enjoyment of their homes and gardens. They had also said that the structure will overshadow their family homes, and that they have concerns about the development  being located in the centre of a residential area.  In its letter of application, Eir argues that the new mast would be screened by the exchange building and by mature trees, and that it is essential to 3G and 4G coverage for homes and businesses. The …

AN Bord Pleanála has overturned the decision of Clare County Council in February to reject an application from Eircom for an 18-metre mast in Kilfenora. The telecommunications company appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála, who have now granted approval. According to the original County Council decision, such developments can only go close to populated areas, but the An Bord Pleanála inspector was of the view that there had been a misinterpretation. “In my opinion,” wrote the planning inspector, “the Planning Authority have incorrectly applied the appropriate ‘last resort’ test in this instance. The test they applied relates to ‘larger towns and in city suburbs’.” The inspector was also of the view that the facility was required, due to the poor state of coverage in the area. “I have reviewed ComReg’s online Outside Coverage Map1 for this area and note that for Ireland’s three main service providers coverage generally ranges from ‘Fringe’ to ‘No Coverage’ for 4G, from ‘Fringe’ to …

LOCAL authority planners were in conflict over a telecommunications company’s application to extend the height of a mast in Shannon. While an initial planner’s report had recommended giving Eircom Limited planning permission to extend the height of a mast at the Eir Exchange in Tullyvarraga, a subsequent note to the planning file found this would be inappropriate and planning was then denied. Eircom Limited has now appealed Clare County Council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála with a decision due by August 30. A report signed by Ellen Carey on March 25 had recommended giving the green light, subject to a number of conditions. However, a note to the file, signed by planners Garreth Ruane and Helen Quinn on April 1, had a different view. The note states, “I refer to area planner’s report in which a grant of permission is recommended. I have inspected the subject site and surrounds and also note the further information response as received. “Notwithstanding the …

VODAFONE have been refused planning permission, having sought to erect a 20m high telecommunications support structure with antennas and dishes in place of an existing 13.5m structure at Ballynacragga, Newmarket on Fergus. The company had claimed it would offer an improvement in services in the area. In its application, it said “Vodafone has a requirement to improve its current coverage in the vicinity of Newmarket on Fergus. The objective of this application is to improve and extend coverage and capacity to the town centre and its surrounding areas.” The application said that the development is required to cater for the many advances in technology since the existing mast was put in place. “The existing structure was built to accommodate Eircell’s requirements of circa 20 years ago. At the time of build it would not have been foreseen that technology would develop as it has or that the demand for the technology would be as large as it has proven to …

A NATIONWIDE fault Eircom is experiencing today with phone line is affecting private and business users in Clare. Gas Networks Ireland has warned this may affect customers using the 1850 20 50 50 number to report gas escapes. “If you cannot get through on this number, please call one of our temporary gas emergency numbers. The following are the numbers; 087 9160734 or 087 9160701. These numbers are only to be used in case of a gas emergency. Alternatively, call 999 or 112,” the company said in a statement.

eircom’s Apprentice and Graduate scheme, which will create in the region of 375 jobs over the next five years, closes for applicants on Friday. The initiative is part of a €18 million investment by eircom, aimed at enhancing the company’s skills’ base and building an innovative, national communications network across Ireland. This is the first large scale sustained recruitment programme by the company in almost 30 years. Sixty apprentices, of Leaving Certificte qualifications, will be recruited each year, while 15 honours graduates will be taken on each year. Following the successful completion of the training programmes, top performers in both programmes will be offered full-time roles with eircom.

Senator Tony Mulcahy has called on Eircom and other fibre broadband providers not to increase internet charges after Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg) said rural internet users are not paying the full cost of broadband provision. Senator Mulcahy, who is Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, expressed his concern following a report byIrelandOffline which outlines how urban broadband customers are subsidising rural users and that Eircom may apply to the regulator to raise its rural broadband prices to recover rural costs. He has pledged to contact COMREG and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, requesting them to discourage operators from introducing price hikes. “The quality of fibre broadband services in rural parts of County Clare is generally well below that of what is provided in larger towns such as Kilrush, Shannon and Ennis,” he observed.