Kevin Thompstone CEO, Shannon Development with Paddy Clarke, Director of Clarke Quarries Ltd.
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The towns to benefit are Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West in Limerick, Kilrush in Clare, Nenagh, Roscrea and Templemore in Tipperary, and Banagher and Birr in Offaly. Cavan-based firm Clarke Quarries in association with Shannon Broadband will carry out the project of laying fibre optic cable in the eight towns creating Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN).
The development of infrastructure for broadband in these towns is designed to provide better telecoms services to the regions and make the towns more commercially viable for broadband providers.
"There was a deficit in telecommunications in the area," Richard Doyle, project technologist with Shannon Broadband, told ENN. "The development of the infrastructure will motivate private operators to move into these towns."
Shannon Broadband is a public sector consortium led by Shannon Development, in partnership with Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council, Clare County Council, North Tipperary County Council, and Offaly County Council. The consortium was set up in 2003 as the first public sector regional telecoms company in Ireland.
"We are delighted to be undertaking phase two of the MAN project. The aim of Shannon Broadband is to develop world-class broadband infrastructure and services network throughout the Shannon Region. We have already completed the laying of over 57kms of fibre optic cable in Limerick City as part of our first development phase," said Kevin Thompstone, chief executive of Shannon Development and chairman of Shannon Broadband.
"The presence of cable will make it highly attractive and feasible for licensed operators to offer the latest broadband services to businesses, commercial interests, public services, local communities and domestic users. Ensuring fast, cost effective broadband services is key to attracting inward investment and creating more jobs in the future," said Thompstone.
"The availability of high speed, competitively priced broadband is critical. This new network will send a message to any investor that these Shannon Region towns are at the cutting edge in terms of internet access and willingness to embrace the information economy."
Work on the project is beginning in all eight towns this month and is expected to be completed before the end of the year. Local residents and businesses seeking information on how the project will affect them can learn more at www.shannonbroadband.com.
