Page 12 - Sphere No.26 (Mar 2010)

Sphere 10
Above: Minister Ó Cuív (left)
with Damien Gallagher
at the launch.
giving them much-needed access to local and global markets. At home,
residents can use enhanced voice, data and multimedia services to meet
all their Internet needs, whether it’s downloading music, surfing the
Web or booking flights online and making free Skype calls abroad.
The service was officially launched at a ceremony attended by
Éamon Ó Cuív, Ireland’s Minister for Community, Rural and
Gaeltacht Affairs and Damien Gallagher, 3’s NBS Project Director,
along with members of the community and local school children.
“I wholeheartedly welcome this major and exciting development
for the Aran Islands,” said Mr Ó Cuív. “Improving access for the island
communities has always been my priority and over the years my
department has been to the fore in progressing the physical and social
development that is so necessary for the islands’ future. The extension
of the NBS to the Aran Islands is a huge step forward that will bring
enhanced economic and social benefits to these communities.”
Cathy Ni Ghoill, Manager of the local co-op and development
centre, was thrilled. “We were delighted when the National Broadband
Scheme was announced and we feel this is a very important infra-
structure for all islands,” she said. “This is a necessary part of modern
telecommunications infrastructure that places Aran on a par with the
rest of the world.”
3’s Mr Gallagher echoed her comments, saying: “It has never been
a more important time for people and businesses on these islands
to be connected, as we strive to remain competitive during tough
economic times. 3 has played a leading role in driving the delivery
of broadband services in Ireland.”
Aran is just one of many places which is benefitting from the NBS.
In Waterford, in the southeast of the country, the NBS has been
welcomed with open arms by the small business community.
“The National Broadband Scheme provided by 3 is a significantly
positive step in the right direction in supporting the local economy,”
said Michael Garland, the Chief Executive Officer of the Waterford
Chamber of Commerce. “SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and
rural enterprises across Waterford can now target international mar-
kets and compete with businesses in urban
areas that, up to now, have had a distinct
competitive advantage.”
The NBS will eventually supply broadband
connections to approximately 223,000 resi-
dential, commercial and business addresses in
more than 1,000 electoral districts throughout
the country. The programme is on schedule to
be completed by the end of the year.
Eamon Ryan, Ireland’s Minister of Com-
munications, Energy and Natural
Resources, said: “It is imperative that we have
universal broadband coverage in
Ireland, for foreign investment, for
competitiveness and for our own businesses
and householders. Broadband availability will
be central to our economic recovery.”
3, Ireland’s fastest growing telecom network, is fast approaching
500,000 customers in the country, with some 200,000 of them already
enjoying the benefits of broadband.