THREE ADDITIONAL AREAS are set to become fibre towns as part of a €2.5 million investment in broadband infrastructure.

Network operator enet announced its plans to create three new ‘Fibre to the Business’ (FTTB) networks in Loughrea, Kilkenny and Ardee. 

The infrastructure is provided through enet’s fibredirect initiative which replaces older copper networks with fibre optic cables which deliver directly into premises.

The direct connection allows businesses to access speeds of up to 250Mbs, which frees it from bandwidth bottlenecks. Delivering bandwidth directly into the premise means that broadband speeds advertised will be guaranteed rather than the ‘up to’ claims made by service providers over copper networks.

In a statement, enet Chairman David McCour said the expansion was a “significant day for Irish telecoms.”

Loughrea, Ardee and Kilkenny can look forward to gaining a significant competitive advantage in terms of keeping, developing and attracting new companies and new jobs, driving innovation and acting as a platform for economic stimulus in the localities.

Back in April, Claremorris in Co. Mayo became the first place to become Ireland’s first fibre town The initiative was part of a €500,000 investment in broadband in the town and construction of the network is expected to be completed by August.

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