Vodafone win broadband contract connecting 10 Mayo sites

VODAFONE Ireland has been awarded the contract to provide retail broadband services to the nationwide network of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).

BCPs will be located at the following 10 Mayo locations: Keenagh National School, Ballina; Taugheen Community Centre, Claremorris; Killaser Community Centre, Swinford; Islandeady Community Centre; Bofeenaun Community Centre, Pollawarla; Belderrig Community & Research Centre; Keel Community Centre; Kilmovee Community Centre; Cushlough Community Centre, Carrowkennedy; and Finny Community Centre.

BCPs will provide free on-site high-speed internet access to the public and will be the first premises connected under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). They will bring much needed connectivity to some of the most isolated and rural communities in the country, including islands off Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Galway and Cork.

Making the announcement, Minister Michael Ring explained how each BCPs will each have their own individual focus. Some will support remote working, others will facilitate study and digital skills training and many will act as community access hubs with indoors and outdoors wifi.

They will be provided with a temporary wireless high-speed broadband connection (150mbps/30mbps) which they will keep for three years, or until they are provided with a permanent high-speed broadband connection under the NBP.

The first of approximately 300 BCPs nationally are expected to be connected in the weeks ahead, with the remaining sites connected over the subsequent 12 months.

Commented Minister Ring: “This is great news for the 10 rural communities in Mayo in which these BCPs will be located.

“Broadband Connection Points are located in publicly accessible buildings, such as community centres and sports clubs. The owners and managers of these sites have volunteered their premises for community broadband use.

“These 10 communities will get a jump-start on digital development, ahead of the full National Broadband Plan services arriving. These communities will be in the vanguard of the rural digital revolution.

“The National Broadband Plan will ensure that there is equal and fair access to reliable high-speed broadband for everyone in the State. It will take time to reach all premises, but the BCP project will provide a head-start, and a much needed interim solution for communities with little or no connectivity.

“I want to warmly welcome Vodafone Ireland’s involvement in the BCP initiative. Vodafone will work alongside National Broadband Ireland, the local authority broadband officers and site owners to bring early connectivity to rural areas as soon as possible, having regard to public health guidelines.”

He continued: “I am very grateful to all of the site owners, volunteers and community groups in Mayo that have come on board to allow this initiative to happen. I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to all concerned. It is a generous thing that you are doing; you are showing the community spirit that rural Ireland is famed for.”

“Connectivity will start to happen in the BCPs soon, and I strongly encourage communities to grasp this opportunity and to work together to ensure that the best use is made of it. As we look ahead to a post Covid-19 era, broadband connectivity will ensure that rural Ireland plays a key role in our economic recovery.”