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THE DEPARTMENT OF Rural and Community Development expects “significant interest” from providers after issuing a tender for wireless access points for the National Broadband Plan.
The tender is for 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCP) to be set up in GAA clubs, community centres and public libraries in six regions across Ireland.
The Department estimates that whichever service provider is awarded this contract could be paid as much as €800,000 over a three-year period for installation services.
The NBP is the Government’s plan to roll-out high-speed broadband to 1.1 million people living and working in nearly 540,000 premises – homes, schools, businesses and farms – where commercial operators won’t commit to delivering service.
In November, the Government signed off on a €3 billion contract after The European Commission granted State Aid for the project, which has been beset by delays.
The tender issued by the Department includes installing network equipment – wireless routers and control boxes – as well as ongoing internet services.
A spokesperson for the Department said it “anticipates a significant level of interest from telecoms operators in this initiative…given that BCPs will be the first connections established under National Broadband Plan.”
National Broadband Ireland was awarded a contract for NBP in November after a controversial bidding process which led to leading bidders withdrawing from consideration. A contract was expected to be awarded in 2018.
Former communications Minister Denis Naughten resigned, however, after revelations of meetings with Head of Granahan McCourt, David McCourt.
Granahan McCourt was the sole remaining bidder when it was granted ‘Preferred Bidder’ status in 2019.
Opposition parties have criticised Government for signing the NPB contract, arguing Ireland’s broadband network should be publicly owned considering the State is investing significant money in it.
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I bet the sale of black market fags are up by a similar amount.
€5 a pack is the current price apparently. God knows whats in them.
possibly, they would need to publish the figure on matches and lighters to show up the true picture
I got a hand written note in the door this morning. 200 cigarettes for 30 euro.
That’s just because I gave up.
Me also.
Me too
Gave up the filthy smokes 11 months ago after 15 years. never been more pleased with myself for sticking to it. hopefully sales keep going this way
I remember some years back an article in the Readers Digest that said that a particular brand of rolling tobacco had 20% of the UK market even though it was not even sold over the counter by the company that made it. It was all smuggled in and was costing the Exchequer a small fortune in lost duty and taxes.
Combination of increased black economy and less smokers I would think. If they put more duty on cigarettes at budget time, the black economy will be laughing.
Good news on the lung cancer front
You think so? I’d have thought people smoking unfiltered rollies or god knows what’s in them illegal imports would be more, rather than less, susceptible to lung cancer…
And that’s before we factor in the reduction of the subsidy that smokers pay towards everyone’s health service…
If everyone’s starts smoking again the economy would re bound in no time, massive revenues, fewer pensioners you know it makes sense. Mines a benson and hedges. One rule you can only buy cigarettes if you have private health insurance from a uk or German insurer.
Give me a pack of Goldflake or Players any day
The issue is pretty universal see:-
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0336.pdf
Tips ( no pun intended) for the Finance Dept.
have your say