Ryan to sign deal on rural broadband

Every person in the country will be able to avail of broadband high-speed internet services within 21 months.

That is according to Communications Minister Eamon Ryan, who will announce later this morning the details of a deal signed with IT company 3 Ireland to ensure every part of the country is connected.

Around 10% of the population is without broadband, because they live in the one third of the country deemed by IT companies to be remote and therefore not financially attractive.
The multi-million euro investment will undoubtedly be welcomed by both companies and the public currently deprived of an essential service.

Yet broadband rollout was supposed to happen by the end of 2009 - this was pushed back by Minister Ryan last October to mid-2010.

The latest late Autumn 2010 deadline is apparently due to the complexity of delivering rural broadband and ensuring a fair tendering process.

Opposition parties can be expected to claim it is further inexcusable delay.

RTE

Interesting read, thanks.