National Broadband Ireland surveying premises in Galway since January

State-supported highspeed fibre broadband to be available in several communities by year end

Areas of Galway have been among the first in the country to be surveyed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) with workers on the ground in Galway since January. The surveying by NBI aims to produce a detailed network design in order to provide highspeed broadband.

Communities in Galway already surveyed include Bearna, Boleybeg, Bushypark, Corcullen, Na Forbacha and parts of Moycullen including Tooreeney and Clooniffe in Connemara. Within the city Ballindooley, Menlo, Rosshill and Roscam have been surveyed while to the east of the city areas surveyed include Carnmore, Annaghdown, Corrandulla, Claregalway, Lackagh, Turloughmore, Castlegar, Oranmore, Maree, Renville and Clarinbridge, among others.

NBI estimates that highspeed broadband will be available to households and businesses in these communities between December and February while surveying will commence in neighbouring communities.

The Covid-19 crisis has emphasised the urgent need to highspeed, reliable and affordable broadband so that people can work and study from home and also keep in touch with family and friends.

The National Broadband Plan has been a long time in development – it required a survey of every premises in the country, the drawing up of detailed maps, and a lengthy procurement process to secure value for money for taxpayers and adhere to EU State aid rules. The Plan is one of the most significant investments by the State ever and demonstrates Fine Gael’s commitment to rural Ireland and balanced regional development.

I’m delighted to see the progress of the plan and I look forward to households and businesses in the already surveyed communities being able to access broadband in the coming months and to surveys commencing in new communities.

Householders and businesses can keep up to date, as well as view the detailed maps, on www.nbi.ie.