Almost 59,000 homes and businesses in Limerick linked to high-speed broadband

ALMOST 59,000 homes and businesses in Limerick now have access to high-speed broadband following a multi-million euro investment.

Telecommunications giant eir has pumped €37m into the delivery of the measure in Limerick, and on completion, some 83,000 premises across the county will have fibre broadband.

Nationally, eir has ensured one million businesses and homes across the State now have access to high-speed internet, with the firm saying it now means Ireland is on its way to becoming one of the most fibre-connected countries in the world.

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The announcement was made at an industry event this week at The Exo, Dublin’s highest office building, attended by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, eir chief executive Oliver Loomes, and its chairman David McRedmond.

Mr Loomes said: "I'm delighted that eir's fibre roll-out sees Ireland become one of the best countries in Europe for broadband internet access. Last year we were in the top eight for fibre access; this year I expect we'll be in the top five. This is a major breakthrough for Ireland to become a top digital nation and it is in large part due to the efforts of our incredible teams who have worked tirelessly, in all conditions, to get this vital project done and connect homes and businesses for a better Ireland."

Mr Ryan added: "We are witnessing a double-tracked industrial revolution of our time, a revolution in renewable energy along with a revolution in digitalisation. Both of these changing landscapes are fundamentally interconnected. At a macro level, if we are to stay ahead of the energy and renewables curve, we need to ensure that technology firms, energy investors, off-shore wind companies know that Ireland is a modern, digitally advanced country to locate in. At a more micro level, high-speed internet access is increasingly important to be able run businesses or farms, to utilise further smart technologies to make those homes and businesses more energy efficient, to facilitate working remotely or to study from home in any part of the country, for example."