The role of high-speed connectivity in supporting the arts, media and creative sectors is to the fore at a special gathering locally today.
A special panel discussion later will feature key individuals from across the broad spectrum of culture, animation and filmmaking which Kilkenny’s recognised for across the globe.
Ahead of that Minister for Culture, Communications & Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, is at the hosting venue where the completion of the National Broadband Plan’s main infrastructure build works is also being marked, the first in a series of county completion milestones to be reached this year.
Minister O’Donovan says; “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone for Co. Kilkenny and for the National Broadband Plan as a whole. The completion of the main infrastructure build works here is the first in a series of county completion milestones that will be reached as the rollout enters its final phase.”
“The largest infrastructure project since rural electrification, the National Broadband Plan is reshaping rural Ireland. Its purpose is to ensure that homes, farms, businesses and communities, no matter how remote, can access the same opportunities as those in our towns and cities.”
“The focus is now firmly on completing the national rollout and ensuring that location is no longer a barrier to high-speed, reliable fibre broadband. Today’s milestone is proof of the progress that has been made, and the momentum now carrying us through the final phase of delivery.”
More than 19,000 premises in Co. Kilkenny are included in the State’s Intervention Area, where NBI is delivering minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, the National Broadband Plan has delivered €72 million of Government investment in Co. Kilkenny. To date, over 8,500 premises have already connected to the NBI network in the county.
Mr. Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, says; “The completion of the National Broadband Plan rollout in Kilkenny is a hugely positive milestone for the county and reflects the strong collaboration between National Broadband Ireland, Government, Local Authorities and communities right across the region.”
“We have been proud to support this build from the outset, working closely with NBI to facilitate deployment on the ground and ensure that homes, farms and businesses can now access high-speed connectivity. This investment will make a lasting difference to how people live and work in Kilkenny, enabling greater opportunities for enterprise, education and community development for many years to come.”
NBI’s fibre rollout is delivering broadband infrastructure to what is known as the State’s Intervention Area, which includes the most remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed broadband. With construction now at an advanced stage nationwide, NBI has confirmed that the main build of the fibre network remains on track for completion by the end of this year. The network will enable high-speed broadband access for 566,000 homes, farms and businesses across rural Ireland, which is an increase of 29,000 premises from the original 537,000 identified at the time of contract signing.
David McCourt, Founder and Chairman of National Broadband Ireland, says: “The completion of the main build works in Kilkenny is a landmark moment for National Broadband Ireland and for the National Broadband Plan.”
“When this project began, the ambition was clear: to deliver world-class fibre broadband to parts of Ireland that commercial operators could not serve. Kilkenny’s completion shows that this ambition is being realised.”
“NBI is delivering a critical piece of national infrastructure that will serve communities for generations. Fibre broadband has the capacity to support how people will live, work, learn and create in the decades ahead, and it will help ensure that rural Ireland is connected to today’s economy, and ready for the opportunities of the future.
“Just as rural electrification transformed Ireland in the last century, the National Broadband Plan will support the next generation of social, economic and community development across rural Ireland.”
Nationally, more than 485,000 homes, farms and businesses have now been passed by the NBI network and can order a fibre broadband connection, with over 178,000 connected so far as demand continues to accelerate. In many areas where the network has been live for longer, take-up already surpasses 60%, reflecting strong national appetite for world-class fibre connectivity.
Communities across Ireland, including homes, farms, small businesses and schools, are now able to access fibre broadband capable of supporting remote work, online learning, digital health services, agri-tech, tourism and local enterprise.
Mr McCourt will be on The KCLR Daily tomorrow (Friday, 10am-1pm).
TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, says; “Completing the fibre broadband build works in Co. Kilkenny is a significant milestone, not only for NBI but for the homes, farms, businesses and communities that will benefit from access to high-speed fibre broadband under the National Broadband Plan. Reaching this point in Kilkenny is a testament to the work of our delivery teams, contractors, customers, local authorities and communities across the county.”
“This is not the end of NBI’s work in Kilkenny. As build works are completed, our focus remains on supporting connections to the network and working with broadband providers so that people can place orders and experience the benefits of high-speed fibre broadband. Across the country, over 485,000 premises can now order broadband through the National Broadband Plan, and the main build remains on track for completion by the end of 2026.”
Residents and businesses in NBI’s rollout area can check their Eircode on the NBI website to confirm availability and view the list of broadband providers offering services over the network. NBI is a wholesale network operator, meaning homes and businesses order services through broadband providers rather than directly from NBI.
Stay tuned as KCLR News’ Martin Quilty is at Kilkenny Castle and will be speaking with the Minister.
