State seeks consultant for national broadband plan

Life

4 February 2013

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has launched a tender for experts to assist in the design, planning and procurement of a State-led investment in broadband infrastructure, as envisaged in the Government’s National Broadband Plan.

The National Broadband Plan commits to a minimum of 30Mb/s to all parts of Ireland through a combination of public and private investment. The consultants will be required to assist the Department identify parts of the country where the commercial market will not be investing. Also, they will assist in the negotiation of a commercial agreement whereby the State will incentivise one or more telecoms companies to roll out broadband to areas which would not otherwise benefit from fast broadband.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte said: "In the coming years, we expect 1 million homes to have access to high speed services, in some cases with speeds as high as 150Mb/s. New investments in upgrading fixed line infrastructure, and the roll out of 4G services as a consequence of the recent multi-band spectrum auction will make a considerable impact on the availability of high speed services in many areas.

"However, my concern is to ensure that less densely populated areas will also receive very fast broadband so as to ensure balanced regional competitiveness and good access to online facilities – for business, entertainment, education, health and other online services. The Government is firmly committed to this objective and the appointment of consultants to help prepare the necessary procurement, is an important first milestone for delivery."

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