Eircom Announces Major Investment In Broadband Access For Irish Consumers

The announcement was welcomed by Noel Dempsey T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who said that it was "good news for broadband-hungry consumers in this country. When the ownership of Eircom changed last year I met with the new management team to make it clear to them that I wanted to see substantial progress in a number of areas to facilitate the roll out of broadband nationally. At that time I was given assurances that the new regime would respond positively to the challenges that I set them."

"Irish consumers should have access to a fast and efficient broadband. When I became Minister of this Department in 2004 the broadband penetration rate per capita stood at 1.5%. Today that figure is 14.5% and by the end of this year I anticipate that it will reach 16.5% when, as I expect, the new industry target I recently set for 700,0000 broadband subscribers by year end will be met. That is real progress."

"I will shortly announce details of a national tender to provide broadband services to the 10% of the population who live in areas where it is un-economic for the private sector to operate. This tender will make it possible for all reasonable requests for broadband to be met, regardless of where you live," he concluded.