I am calling on National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Government to accelerate the build out of the National Broadband Plan if we are to achieve the target of 96% of all houses and premises to have access to fiber optic broadband connection by 2026.

In a reply from NBI I have received confirmation the at 27th July 2023 154,437 were passed with availability to have a connection which falls short of the initial projection of having 250,000 houses passed with 2 years of the commencement of the project in 2019.

I accept that Covid was a delaying factor, but we are way passed that issue and are now into year 4 of a 5 to 7 year project timescale to deliver the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The state led intervention aims to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

With 4 years of the plan period gone and 3 years left there is just 27% of the 560,00 premises passed now is the time to evaluate progress and put the necessary implementation plan in place to ensure with react our targets which were set out in the Plan.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention aims to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

The National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland. It will ensure that all citizens and businesses have access to high-speed broadband no matter where they live or work.
Once completed, all parts of Ireland will have access to a modern and reliable broadband network, capable of supporting current and future generations.