25 September 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
SIRO, the ESB-Vodafone joint venture which is delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has today unveiled Carrigaline as Cork’s first SIRO-powered town. The announcement was made at an event in the Carrigaline Court Hotel in association with Cork County Council and the Local Enterprise Office, South Cork. The announcement was made by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD.
The rollout of SIRO’s network is currently underway in Carrigaline town and services will be available from broadband retailers this winter. The rollout of SIRO’s network will also be extended to Ballincollig, Cobh, Mallow, Middleton, Little Island and Cork city. TLI Group has been awarded the contract to work with SIRO to build the 100% fibre-optic broadband network and they have created 40 jobs for six months as a result of the work.
SIRO’s key differentiator is that it is a 100% fibre-optic internet connection, making it different and better than any other broadband infrastructure in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. It will transform the internet experience of businesses, community organisations and consumers in Carrigaline. For example, a high definition film (4GB) takes one hour to download with a 10mbps internet connection, with SIRO it will take 30 seconds.
SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband network will be deployed on ESB’s existing overhead and underground infrastructure, ensuring a fast and cost efficient roll-out to every county in Ireland and reversing the digital divide between the capital and regional towns. SIRO will enable each community that is part of its network to take avail of the latest developments in areas like eCommerce and telemedicine, which will encourage more people to pursue of business opportunities, establish new companies and take advantage of remote working. Better connectivity is a key factor for attracting investment to regions and SIRO’s 100% fibre optic broadband network will put towns like Carrigaline on a par with leading international hubs like Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Carrigaline based Minister Simon Coveney
Commenting at the launch, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD said: “It is great news that Carrigaline has been selected as the first town in Munster to be connected to SIRO’s 100% fibre optic broadband network. Not only will this development help attract investment, boost competitiveness and encourage entrepreneurs to set up online businesses, it will also create 40 jobs in Cork during the rollout phase. SIRO will have a transformative effect on Carrigaline by giving our young people better online learning opportunities, enabling more flexible working conditions for residents and better services in homes. This development by SIRO complements the Government’s own plans to deliver fibre broadband to more than 1,000 rural communities as part of the National Broadband Plan.”
Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO said: “We’re delighted that Carrigaline will be the first town in Munster to be connected to SIRO’s 100% fibre optic network, with another six towns in Cork included in the first phase of our rollout. Every premises in Carrigaline will receive a 1 Gigabit broadband connection, futureproofing them for the internet services of the future. This means that Carrigaline businesses and residents will have a broadband service that is four times faster than what is available in Dublin and on a par with the most advanced cities in the world. This will play a key role in securing a brighter digital future for Carrigaline, which we are very proud to be a part of.”
Cllr. Seamus McGrath of Cork County Council who chaired the event said: “I am delighted SIRO has selected Carrigaline as one of the first towns to roll out its super powerful, 100% fibre to the building broadband. This presents a great opportunity for Carrigaline and I have no doubt that it will be a very valuable addition to the local infrastructure.”
Today’s announcement follows the August announcement of Skibbereen as a test area for the second phase of SIRO’s rollout. SIRO is also providing 1Gb connectivity to Ludgate Hub an initiative in Skibbereen which aims to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the West Cork region.
SIRO is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network, offering 1 Gigabit connectivity to 500,000 premises in fifty regional towns, revolutionising the broadband market in Ireland. The service, which will be built on the existing electrical network, will be made available on a wholesale basis to all telecoms retailers. The rollout of SIRO’s network is already currently underway in Sligo city and Dundalk town. All homeowners and businesspeople in Carrigaline who are interested in receiving updates on the rollout of SIRO should register for further details at www.siro.ie.
