Green Party Senator and European candidate for Dublin, Deirdre De Burca, said that plans to roll-out an improved broadband service to Dublin homes should not be shelved.The Senators calls follow the news that Eircom has postponed the roll-out due to high costs. The plans would increase broadband speeds by up to ten times the current network speed. Eircom said the plans would cost €2.5 billion and it could not commit to such a large investment in the current climate.

Senator De Burca said, “Eircom has already spent €1 billion upgrading the central network exchange hubs. However, extra investment is needed to connect the broadband flow from the street line to household computers.

“Broadband connectivity and communication is very important for developing the economy and ensuring that Irish connectivity is on a par with our European neighbours. This is improved broadband service would make it quicker and easier for customers to access the internet. 

“Under the National Broadband Scheme, the government plans to roll out a comprehensive rural broadband package by 2010. This will ensure that everyone in Ireland has access to broadband services.  We may be able to integrate the roll-out of the improved broadband package under this scheme.

“I will petition Green Party Minister for Energy and Communications, Eamon Ryan, to open talks with Eircom and see if we can initiate the roll-out of improved broadband services throughout Dublin,” added Senator De Burca.

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Dublin by Deirdre