Eircom has announced an increase to its planned national fibre footprint from 1.2 million homes and businesses to 1.4 million homes and businesses across Ireland.
The plans mean that, by July 2016, 70 per cent of the country is scheduled to have access to fibre broadband speeds of up to 100Mbs.
The company says its fibre programme is ahead of schedule and is on track to pass 700,000 premises by the end of the year. Today’s announcement means that an 562 additional communities across the country will be able to connect to Eircom’s eFibre service.
The company's CEO Herb Hribar said: 'This is a very positive development and a critical step forward in ensuring as many people as possible across Ireland have access to high speed fibre broadband.
'No other operator in Ireland is investing as extensively in fibre broadband. Our investment reinforces our commitment to build a network for a nation that connects as many customers as possible to Ireland’s largest telecommunications infrastructure.
'This announcement maximises the footprint of fibre broadband that can be currently achieved on a commercial basis in Ireland and we are committed to work with the Government to ensure that the National Broadband Plan provides access to high speed broadband for all.'
Meanwhile, another Irish company, UPC, has confirmed that it is to supply 100Mbs fibre broadband to 48 schools across the captal, Dublin.
Henry Minogue, CIO VP of UPC Ireland, said: 'The provision of superfast broadband in schools is vital to ensure Irish children are equipped with the technological resources needed to flourish in today’s modern school system and digital economy. We have invested over €500 million in our fibre powered network which is enabling these developments.
'In a report conducted by Amarach Research, commissioned by UPC, on Ireland’s Digital Future found that the digital economy has the potential to create 18,000 jobs. As part of that future, schools and children are of tremendous importance and I am glad UPC can assist is this journey providing schools and children with the resources to take advantage of this opportunity.'
