In the next 12 months an additional 100,000 rural homes and businesses across 200 communities will have access to a high speed broadband connection, according to Eir.

Eir, formally known as Eircom, announced further details of its deployment of high speed broadband in rural Ireland, today.

It says that preparation for the work is already underway in some areas, with tree trimming now complete in a number of locations.

This will clear the way for spans of new fibre cables to be installed alongside the existing roadside telecommunications infrastructure, it says.

The announcement made by the broadband and phone provider is part of the commitment made by the company in June 2015.

Last year, the company committed to extend the footprint of high speed broadband to a further 300,000 homes and businesses to reach a total of 1.9m premises by the end of 2020.

It is expected to invest €400m over the next five years in delivering this much needed service to rural areas.

On the back of the investment, the company expects to have a high speed broadband connection in over 1.7m premises by this time next year.

Some areas to be served by this investment are:
  • Fybagh, Co. Kerry
  • Blacksod, Co. Mayo
  • Goleen, Co. Cork
  • Maam, Co. Galway
  • Ring, Co. Waterford

Commenting on the announcement, Carolan Lennon, Managing Director of Eir said it is the only provider with a truly national plan to connect rural communities across Ireland to high speed broadband.

“We already provide the fastest broadband speeds in the country and we are now extending those speeds beyond the town.

“Last June, we committed to extend the reach of our commercial roll out as far as possible.

Our announcement today is testament to our on-going support of the economic recovery and rejuvenation of rural Ireland using best in class technology.