County and Group Broadband Scheme Phase 2 launched

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Now the scheme covers counties and is involving local councils.

Minister Noel Dempsey T.D., launches €4 Million National Broadband Initiative


11th January 2005

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey TD, today launched the 2nd phase of the County and Group Broadband Scheme. This scheme offers financial support for smaller communities and rural areas to establish broadband services locally.

Up to €4 million is available to support County and Group Broadband Scheme projects under this phase. This could bring broadband to over 150 communities or 100,000 people nationwide, the Minister said.

In launching the latest round, Minister Dempsey said that he wants every village and every rural community in the country to have a broadband option. There should be no home, office, school or library that cannot get broadband - real broadband that enriches the online experience.

The County and Group Broadband Scheme offers even the most remote communities the chance of competing on level terms with the major cities. Broadband is the future of communications, and anyone who wants to be part of that future will need broadband, he stressed.

Under this phase, group broadband experts will be based in the regions to advise communities and service providers on how to establish a local Group Broadband Scheme, as well as matching communities and service providers that wish to take part in the Scheme.

These regional coordinators will also encourage larger Group Broadband Schemes by promoting aggregated or combined projects that cover many communities within counties or across a region. The regional and local authorities will play a key role by working through the regional coordinators to maximise the roll-out of local or county broadband schemes.

More communities will also be eligible to take part in the County & Group Broadband Scheme. Under this phase, hinterland and suburban communities of less than 1,500, which are part of larger towns, can also qualify for Group Broadband Scheme funding if they do not have an adequate broadband service. The application and payment processes are also streamlined.

The Minister called on local authorities, business organisations, chambers of commerce, community-based groups and broadband service providers to take a leading role in establishing county and group broadband schemes and to support efforts within their own communities to bring broadband to every home and business across Ireland.

To date under the 1st phase of the Group Broadband Scheme, twenty-three broadband projects have already been approved, covering a population of about 20,000 people. These projects represent an investment of approximately €800,000 in broadband services for smaller communities, of which €350,000 is grant support. Eighteen more projects are being considered for support under the 1st Call.

In closing, Minister Dempsey said that 2005 should be the year that the whole country moves closer to being a broadband nation.

Full text of Minister's Speech
Ends