The roll-out of high-speed broadband to over 34,000 premises in Donegal has moved one step closer, according to a new report.
The Government announced on Wednesday that works to finalise the contract for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is well progressed.
The report, which can be viewed here, outlines the high-speed broadband roll-out will cover the remaining one in three premises in the county, including areas such as Kildarragh, Tory Island and Glencar.
The new will be welcoming for the many homes and business premises in County Donegal which are adversely affected by lack of broadband and many of which have been lobbying their local representatives for years to get the same services as their counterparts in the capital and major cities around the country.
Cllr. Nicholas Crossan, Cathaoirleach of the Donegal County Council said: “Donegal County Council welcome the planned delivery of the National Broadband Plan and the associated substantial investment by the government.
“We as a Council have worked in partnership with various telecommunication providers and government departments in the delivery of high-speed Broadband to 67% of the homes and premises in the county and this has resulted in significant investment and job creation in Donegal.
“We are committed to continuing with this partnership approach to ensure that those living and working outside of the towns and villages already served will also receive high-speed broadband over the coming years, ensuring the opportunities afforded by the digital economy are available to all.”
It is understood that Donegal will receive an investment of €135 million to provide fibre broadband to 34,107 homes in the Intervention Area.
This is a mapped area of rural Ireland where high-speed broadband is currently not commercially available and it encompasses over half a million premises, including 56,000 farms and 44,000 businesses.
Some of the many benefits of high-speed broadband include e-learning, remote monitoring of livestock or equipment, e-health initiatives, better energy efficiency in the home, more remote working and the availability of value bundle phone, TV and internet packages.
