Council has 'blueprint' for fast-track broadband rollout

A forward-thinking move by the local authority to set a template for future broadband operators to follow when dealing with planning applications may help jump the county to the head of the digital revolution queue.

Speaking at the recent meeting of Cavan County Council, Director of Services Eoin Doyle told members that the county is “open for business” and that the authority themselves were “willing to help any broadband provider” when it came to meeting roll-out needs.
His comments were in reaction to a motion placed on the agenda by Fianna Fáil councillor John Paul Feeley who asked about a 'Digital Hub’ for Cavan and the ongoing delays in the Rural Broadband Scheme.
Mr Doyle believes that the council’s blueprint for operators to follow could speed up the planning process and allow providers to install the necessary infrastructure.
The early deployment of fibre broadband through the Vodafone/ESB joint venture SIRO has long being mooted as a potential catalyst in terms of local job creation and inward investment and Cavan County Council is anxious that the planning process would not impede such progress.
SIRO is a joint venture company between ESB and Vodafone to deliver a 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network, with speeds of up to 1000Mbps to larger towns around Ireland including Cavan Town.
The company has recently announced that he has begun a full roll-out of upgrade across Cavan Town.
Over 1,000 premises in the town have already been connected, which followed a trial of 300 homes in Aughnaskerry and Rocklands estates earlier this year.
When the rollout is completed, it’s reported that Cavan town will have the same level of connectivity as leading international hubs like Hong Kong and Tokyo.
“This is the moment life in Cavan changes forever. This is broadband at its best as SIRO is a custom built 100% fibre optic network powered by light, with no copper connection that would slow the service,” boasted Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO.
He is confident that the upgraded infrastructure will lend itself to the county in terms of attracting inwards investment. “This will have as big an impact as rural electrification, leaving a last legacy in Cavan. SIRO will help attract investment to the town, enable Cavan businesses to compete online and allow residents to avail of the latest online services,” said Mr Atkinson.

Government plan delayed
But fresh doubts have emerged over the target of delivering broadband to all households by 2020 after the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources announced that the new national broadband contract would not be signed until 2017.
Rollout of the plan is expected to take between three and five years, meaning the programme is likely to run behind schedule.
The contract was due to be awarded late this year, but this will not now happen until early next year.
Mr Doyle added that the creation of a so-called 'Digital Hub’ in the county could have the potential to bring together local digital entrepreneurs allowing them to “development and expand together”, and the Council gave any such opportunity their backing.
Cllr Feeley had earlier in the debate paid tribute to the 'Get Connected’ event hosted by the council and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
Part of developing a Digital Strategy for the county, the aim was is to support and nurture existing and developing technology based start-ups and digital entrepreneurs.
While his motion received support from fellow elected members Madeleine Argue (FG) and Eugene Greenan (SF), Cllr Feeley did however voice concern: “I worry the plan we have to put in place will be totally redundant by time broadband is ready to put in place.”
He suggested that, where other towns have implemented a digital hub initiative, the council should study the example and even improve upon it where possible going forward.

Imagine also extending service
Meanwhile, Imagine’s new National LTE fibre network is being rolled out to 110 townlands in County Cavan.
Initial townlands being covered include: Baillieborough, Carnaville, Dunroe, Mullagh, Moynalty, Tunnyduff, Tierworker, Caddagh and more areas.
The highspeed wireless broadband, with download speeds of up to 65Mb quoted, claims to cover anyone within 13Km of the nearest exchange.
Coverage can be checked at imagine.ie