Clonmel to be one of the 50 towns being targeted for a €450mn high-speed broadband plan. ESB AND VODAFONE are to invest over €450 million in a new fibre broadband network they say will bring broadband speeds of between 200 to 1000 Mbps to an initial 50 towns. The deal will see ESB’s lines and masts being used to transport fibre cables and will reach about 500,000 homes and businesses as part of the first phase. Subject to approval from the European Commission, work will start on new network in the coming months with the first customers gaining access from the start of 2015 and a completion date of end-2018. The new 100% fibre network will be available for other telecom providers to sell wholesale onto customers. The deal was made possible by legislation passed earlier this year that allowed ESB’s infrastructure to be used for additional purposes. ESB and Vodafone are splitting the deal on a 50:50 basis with Vodafone chosen as ESB’s partner following a tendering process. ESB CEO Pat O’Doherty described the deal with Vodafone as a “milestone for Ireland”. “The fibre broadband network will be a key enabler for a knowledge-based, services-led economy that will help to attract investment to Ireland,” he said. “This fibre infrastructure will use ESB’s existing electricity infrastructure, maximising the use of state assets to the benefit of Irish society.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 22:14:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015