DkIT & Gigabit Hub Initiative

RDC first higher education incubator to benefit from Gigabit Hub Initiative

Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English TD, today revealed Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Regional Development Centre as the first on-campus higher education incubation centre to receive two years of free gigabit fibre broadband from SIRO and Vodafone as part of the companies’ national Gigabit Hub Initiative. Established in 1989 by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), the Regional Development Centre is the Institute’s Innovation Support and Technology Transfer organisation, acting as the commercial interface between the Institute and the wider business community. It has supported more than 1,220 entrepreneurs, incubated 170 knowledge based start-up enterprises and conducted 280 applied research projects over those 28 years. Other business hubs powered by SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network include the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen and Kerry’s HQTralee. The Ludgate Hub, which was connected in July 2016, is an exemplar project as recognised by the European Commission and is on course to create 500 jobs over the next five years in West Cork. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity, which is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and 10 times as powerful as the market leading service in rural Ireland, will give businesses in DkIT’s Regional Development Centre the same level of broadband connectivity as available in leading international hubs such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. Brandt Technologies, a leading SME based at Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Regional Development Centre, has already been a Vodafone customer connected to SIRO’s network for the past eight months and receiving a gigabit broadband connection. Brandt provides translation, localisation testing, software engineering and consultancy services that accelerate the simultaneous shipment of software for the localisation market. Gigabit connectivity is a vital service for Brandt’s operation in Dundalk as it enables the company to do business with its customers around the world seamlessly. Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English TD said: “Being connected to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network reaffirms the North East’s appeal as a destination for future Foreign Direct Investment, and as a location that combines excellent quality of life with ease of access to Dublin and to the EU. Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Regional Development Centre is already home to numerous businesses ranging from startups to FDI companies, all of whom believe that Gigagbit connectivity is vital to their organisation. This initiative underlines the key role that the centre plays in empowering the local economy through the early-stage development of quality high tech companies in the region and attracting overseas businesses like Brandt to the area.” Ann Campbell, President of DkIT, added: “We are extremely excited to be the first Higher Education Institute in Ireland to launch SIRO’s Gigabit Hub initiative at our Regional Development Centre on campus. Strong connectivity is crucially important to companies of all sizes in the North East as they continue to compete in today’s global economy. Access to SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband network will deliver broadband speeds up to 10 times faster than existing speeds for our incubation companies which will dramatically improve their digital effectiveness and enhance the Institute’s ability to attract innovative start-ups to the North East region.” Trevor Lucy, Director of Engineering at SIRO, commented: “We are delighted to boost the success of companies in residence at DkIT’s Regional Development Centre by giving them access to the most powerful broadband available in Ireland, enabling them to have the same competitive advantage in terms of connectivity as leading international hubs like Tokyo and Hong Kong. This forms part of our strategy to revitalise towns across Ireland by sparking a digital transformation, helping to attract investment and encouraging more people to establish businesses in towns like Dundalk.” Anne O'Leary, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ireland, added: “Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Regional Development Centre is the first on-campus innovation centre to receive 1 Gigabit fibre broadband as part of Vodafone and SIRO’s national Gigabit Hub Initiative. We are delighted to be in a position to support local businesses through vital hubs such as the Regional Development Centre. The economic and social benefits that Gigabit connectivity can bring to companies in regional Ireland are almost incalculable offering employees better work/life balance – and most importantly - encourage our successful regional businesses to remain in Ireland and compete on a level playing field with the likes of Singapore and San Francisco.” Over the coming weeks, business hubs in four other towns –Letterkenny, Dundalk, Cavan and Carlow – will be awarded free gigabit connectivity as part of the first phase of Vodafone and SIRO’s Gigabit Hub Initiative.

MINISTER MARY MITCHELL O’CONNOR ANNOUNCES HQTRALEE AS FIRST RECIPIENT OF VODAFONE & SIRO’S GIGABIT HUB INITIATIVE

• Six hubs selected for first phase of initiative are in Tralee, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Cavan and Carlow with the potential to create 600 additional jobs across the country. • New research shows that broadband is a key enabler for regional development. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, today unveiled HQTralee as the first business hub to receive two years of free gigabit fibre broadband from Vodafone and SIRO as part of the companies’ national Gigabit Hub Initiative. HQTralee is a business and innovation centre located in the heart of County Kerry, which at present houses 18 local businesses, and was officially launched by the Minister at a special opening ceremony held at HQTralee today. Currently supporting 50 jobs, HQTralee will see this number double to 100 by July 2017. The Gigabit Hub Initiative was announced last month and is open to qualifying hubs in 15 towns across the country. The number of entry applications received for this unique initiative from Vodafone and SIRO greatly exceeded expectations, a clear demonstration of the importance and demand for access to quality broadband from both established businesses and start-ups across the country. The six towns to be awarded free connectivity as part of the first phase of the initiative have been announced today as Tralee, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Cavan and Carlow. The successful hubs from each town will be announced over the coming weeks. The initiative was created by Vodafone and SIRO in order to empower local businesses and communities through connected technologies. By providing world class fibre broadband connectivity into enterprise and community centres, the Gigabit Hub Initiative will enable towns across the country to strengthen and grow their rural communities by supporting regional job creation and positively impact local economies. To further illustrate the significance of high speed broadband connectivity to businesses, Vodafone and SIRO undertook research amongst the businesses based at HQTralee. All surveyed said that super-fast internet connectivity would substantially increase their productivity, and were confident that the provision of reliable 1 Gigabit per second broadband in regional hubs would encourage more companies to establish or relocate to smaller towns. They also believed its provision would make towns with access more attractive to Foreign Direct Investment by multinationals, and that the availability of gigabit fibre broadband would have a positive impact on the local economy and support existing local enterprises and local communities. Nine in 10 of the enterprises surveyed said that they hoped to increase either full or part-time employment in the next 12 months and that the availability of high speed broadband would lead to more people working online from home and result in an improved work-life balance. In fact, over eight in 10 (83%) said that access to high speed broadband had enhanced their own businesses, improved communication with their customers and business partners and made them more optimistic about the future. Commenting at the launch, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “It’s great to see the tangible effect that high speed broadband access can have on hubs such as HQTralee, where businesses can gain access to 1 Gigabit per second broadband and spur the dynamic and exciting entrepreneurship we see here today. The Government recognises the fundamental role that broadband can play as a critical enabler for business and jobs creation across Ireland and welcomes the excellent work being carried out by Vodafone and SIRO to support regional hubs and businesses across the country.” Anne O'Leary, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ireland, added: “We are delighted to be in a position to support local businesses through vital hubs such as HQTralee. If this success is replicated across all six hubs, it has the potential to create up to 600 jobs across Ireland in 2017. The economic and social benefits that 1 Gigabit broadband connectivity can bring to companies in regional Ireland are almost incalculable. New job and business opportunities will allow people to pursue their careers in small towns across Ireland without sacrificing their quality of life, rather than being forced to move to cities or abroad. The Gigabit Society we are creating will mean offering employees better work-life balance, and most importantly, encourage our successful regional businesses to remain in Ireland and compete on a level playing field with the likes of Singapore and San Francisco.” Stephen O’Connor, Director of Corporate Affairs at SIRO, said: “As Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building provider, we are delighted to be helping to revitalise towns across Ireland. HQTralee and the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen illustrate the digital transformation that our 100% fibre-optic broadband network can spark and our Gigabit Hub Initiative will open up a new world of possibilities for the 15 towns involved. Strong, consistent connectivity will not only help attract new businesses to regional Ireland, it will also help Ireland’s young people create a future in the towns they call home instead of being forced to move abroad. With world beating 100% fibre-optic broadband, new jobs can be created by international businesses or by Ireland’s next generation of home-grown entrepreneurs.” Co-founder of HQTralee, Ken Tobin added: “We feel that there’s no reason why people shouldn’t be able to enjoy the lifestyle of living in a town like Tralee, but being able to take advantage of the same level of broadband connectivity as Hong Kong or Tokyo. Now thanks to Vodafone and SIRO, this dream is a reality as Tralee residents don’t have to compromise and can enjoy the perfect work life balance. At HQTralee you can get 1 Gigabit broadband and still live within minutes of 10 beaches, the two highest mountains in Ireland, and Ireland’s top links golf course, and a tradition of culture, nightlife, food, arts, and sport – all within a one hour flight to Dublin and one-and-a-half-hour flight to London!”

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, today launched Vodafone and SIRO’s national Gigabit Hub Initiative, which aims to spark a digital transformation in 15 towns across Ireland. A first of its kind, the companies will offer a 1 Gigabit broadband connection to qualifying business, technology and start up hubs free of charge for two years with the initiative having the potential to significantly strengthen and grow thousands of jobs across Ireland. The Initiative is now open to hubs based in 15 towns – Dundalk, Cavan town, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Wexford town, Drogheda, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis, Ratheniska, Tralee and Carlow town. The possibilities and benefits of digital connectivity for these towns through this initiative are endless. Having access to high-speed broadband internet connectivity will mean that businesses can now be based in any location, retain local skills, knowledge and talent, compete on a level playing field with national and international organisations. The application process is now open and will run until Friday 21st April. Hubs interested in applying for the 1 Gigabit broadband connection can find out more about the initiative and register their interest at www.vodafone.ie/connected-futures. This unique initiative has been designed to replicate the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which is powered by 1 Gigabit internet connection thanks to SIRO, the joint venture between the ESB and Vodafone. Officially launched in August 2016 by Minister O’Connor, Ludgate is firmly on course to help create 500 jobs in the West Cork region over the next five years. Highlighting the challenges facing rural business, Vodafone research undertaken in late 2016 with businesses based at Ludgate, found that nearly two-thirds (62%) said that faster broadband and mobile phone coverage would enable them to expand their business, with the majority saying that they intend to employ more people on a full or part-time basis in the next 12 months as a result of super-fast broadband. However, nearly seven in 10 (69%) said that slow and unreliable speeds prevent them from working efficiently and hold back their potential for growth, clearly illustrating the importance of high speed broadband connectivity to businesses. Commenting at the launch, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “High speed broadband is vital for regional development and the Government is delivering on its promise to address Ireland’s connectivity challenges. Having opened the Ludgate Hub last year, I have seen the economic and social benefits that Gigabit connectivity has delivered to Skibbereen. Vodafone and SIRO’s Gigabit Hub initiative will replicate this success in 15 locations across Ireland, helping to attract jobs, investment and startups to each town. Community enterprise centres like Ludgate will help regional towns compete on a global stage, whilst also revitalising rural areas by encouraging more people to return to where they grew up.” Anne O'Leary, chief executive of Vodafone Ireland, added: “When we helped to launch the Ludgate Hub last year, we wanted to establish a blueprint for other towns across the country to replicate Skibbereen’s success, which if mirrored, has the potential to create and secure thousands of jobs in rural Ireland. Today we have realised that vision with the launch of our Gigabit Hub initiative, helping 15 towns to become part of the Gigabit society and becoming a beacon of innovation for the rest of the country. We now want to encourage communities in these other towns to follow Ludgate’s lead and leverage Gigabit connectivity to boost the local economy.” Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, also said: “As Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building provider, we are delighted to be helping to revitalise towns across Ireland. The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen illustrates the digital transformation that our 100% fibre-optic broadband network can spark and our Gigabit Hubs initiative will open up a new world of possibilities for the 15 towns involved. Strong, consistent connectivity will not only help attract new businesses to regional Ireland, it will also help Ireland’s young people create a future in the towns they call home instead of being forced to move abroad”

SIRO and Vodafone powering Ireland's Gigabit Hubs

SIRO and Vodafone have partnered on a unique new initiative which has the ambitious aim of connecting community and enterprise centres in 15 towns nationwide. The Gigabit Hub Initiative, powered by SIRO and Vodafone, aims to spark a digital transformation in 15 towns across Ireland by providing Gigabit connectivity to qualifying hubs free of charge for two years. The recipients will receive a 1 Gigabit broadband connection from Vodafone which is powered by SIRO's 100% fibre-optic network. The aim of the initiative is to replicate the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen which is on course to help create 500 jobs in the West Cork region over the next five years. The Gigabit connectivity will help to boost startups in the region, encourage existing businesses and remote workers to relocate to the hubs and has the potential to stimulate local economic growth and regeneration. Community Hubs with Gigabit connectivity can help regional towns compete with larger urban areas by attracting highly skilled people, encouraging start-ups and making a town more attractive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Co-working space has been shown to foster innovation and collaboration among client companies. Big ideas can be developed locally and marketed worldwide, giving client companies the opportunity to pursue their dream without leaving their town. Community Hubs can also play a valuable role in increasing digital literacy among the young, the old and the so called "non-liners" by organising training and education, bringing both social and economic benefits. Enterprise and community hubs in 15 towns across the country - Dundalk, Cavan town, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Wexford town, Drogheda, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis, Ratheniska, Tralee and Carlow town - can apply by registering their interest on gigabithubinitiative@sirobroadband.wpengine.com. See criteria here.

SIRO Operations Director, Suzanne Tracy speaking at the Official Opening of the Extension of The Mill Enterprise Hub. Minister for Employment and Small Business, Mr Pat Breen TD, officially opened the new wing of The Mill with The Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Oliver Tully performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony. [embed]https://youtu.be/cyrv-AfN4lw[/embed]

The Mill Becomes SIRO’s Latest Gigabit Powered Innovation Hub

Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building operator SIRO has announced that it has delivered 1 Gigabit connectivity to The Mill, an innovation hub in Drogheda, with Vodafone providing the service to the facility. The Mill is Drogheda’s first purpose built innovation hub. It is the result of a public-private partnership which aims to become the hub for the accelerated creation of new enterprises in the South Louth, East Meath and Drogheda areas. Minister for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen TD today officially opened the extension of The Mill’s Enterprise Hub. The Mill becomes the second regional hub to be powered by SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network after the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen was connected in July 2016. The Ludgate Hub is an exemplar project as recognised by the European Commission and is on course to create 500 jobs over the next five years in West Cork. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity, which is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and 10 times as powerful as the market leading service in rural Ireland, will help The Mill replicate this success. Companies based in the community enterprise centre can experience the same level of broadband connectivity as available in leading international hubs such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. Commenting about the announcement, Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO, said: “Today’s official opening of The Mill’s Enterprise Hub is a tremendous boost for Drogheda as it is already quickly establishing itself as a vibrant startup centre for the area. We are delighted to help play a role in its success by giving companies in residence at the Mill access to the most powerful broadband available in Ireland, enabling them to have the same competitive advantage in terms of connectivity as their international peers. As a result, we will see more digital companies establish themselves in Drogheda, helping to reinvigorate the local economy. As our 100% fibre optic broadband network, powered entirely by light, is different and better than any other technology, we have future-proofed Drogheda’s broadband needs for decades ahead and made the town part of the Gigabit society in Ireland.” Breanndán Casey, Business Development Manager, The Mill Enterprise Centre, added: “The Mill is home to a wide range of businesses such as startups to FDI companies, all of whom believe that Gigagbit connectivity is vital to their organisation. Being connected to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network is a game changer for us as it is a vital factor in the decision making process for any company looking to establish itself in Drogheda. The dividends of SIRO’s rollout in Drogheda, as well as Dundalk in Co. Louth, are already starting to pay off as demonstrated by the level of interest from companies looking to join us here at the Mill.”

Portlaoise Unveiled As Ireland’s Latest Gigabit Town By Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan

At an event in Laois County Council, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD announced that SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network is currently under construction in Portlaoise. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity (1,000Mbps) is 50 times faster than the average broadband in Laois1 (20Mbps) and services will be made available by broadband retailers to residents and businesses in Portlaoise in January 2017. With over 40,000 premises passed in 17 towns so far, SIRO is Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) operator – the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally. SIRO’s network is 100% fibre, with no copper at any point to slow it down. This means that the internet experience of Portlaoise will be transformed, catapulting the town into the international leagues for broadband connectivity, similar to Tokyo and Hong Kong and creating a platform for future economic development. For context, when downloading a standard high definition film (4 Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection, the average download time is an hour - with SIRO it takes approximately 30 seconds. Welcoming this positive development for Portlaoise, Minister Flanagan said: “This process first started in 2012 when tenders for the project were first advertised and it is a very positive step for the county that Portlaoise is one of fifty towns in the first phase of this new broadband venture which targets at delivering the most powerful network to the town.” “For the people I represent in Portlaoise and throughout the wider constituency broadband is necessary for so many aspects of day to day life – for education and research, for simple things like renewing insurance, booking flights, applying for a driving test, for keeping in touch with friends and family. Above all, good broadband access is essential if rural areas in the county are to be thriving communities rather than commuter ghost towns.” “There are a number of small businesses, particularly artisan enterprises, in Laois who are creating employment in the area and are dependent on the fast internet speeds for the success of their businesses. Businesses simply cannot survive in rural towns without the global reach the Internet gives them.” John Mulholland, Chief Executive Laois County Council, added: “The imminent provision of high speed broadband access to every home in Portlaoise is a very significant and positive development. We are delighted that SIRO have come on board with this service at a time when the Council is making strident efforts to rejuvenate and consolidate the town centre. We see access to a high speed quality broadband network as fundamental to achieving our goals for a sustainable urban living model and to stimulate economic growth in regional towns such as Portlaoise.” Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, added: “Portlaoise is the second Laois town to get SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network after we connected Ratheniska for the Ploughing Championships last September. Residents and businesses in Portalaoise will have access to broadband services that are three times better than the best available in Dublin and fifty times better the average service currently available in Laois. This is an important development for the town, supporting economic and social development and future-proofing Portlaoise’s internet infrastructure for decades to come.” Using the existing ESB network, SIRO is delivered by fibre optic cables all the way to the building. This technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Building, has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit download and upload speeds. SIRO’s 100% fibre-to-the-building network is three times faster than the best service available in Dublin and 14 times more powerful than the fastest average internet speed in Ireland1. As an open access wholesale provider, SIRO is also driving competition in the broadband market with four retailers – Vodafone, Digiweb, Westnet and Carnsore Broadband – signed up thus far and discussions continuing with other providers. By the end of 2016, services will be live or construction work will be underway in 17 towns across the country by the end of the year – Westport, Castlebar, Dundalk, Cavan, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Wexford, Drogheda, Portlaoise, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis, Ratheniska, Carlow and Skibbereen.

Skibbereen becomes SIRO's latest gigabit town

After delivering 1 Gigabit connectivity to the Ludgate Hub in July, SIRO has announced that it has fully completed its rollout in Skibbereen, linking the town to its 100% Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) broadband network. With 36,500 premises passed, SIRO is Ireland’s largest FTTB operator and this milestone will see services available to an additional 1,500 homes and businesses in Skibbereen from broadband retailers later in the year. SIRO is also powering National Digital Week, which is currently taking place in Skibbereen, with the 1,600 entrepreneurs, digital marketers and technology enthusiasts in attendance able to experience Gigabit connectivity. The event has been organised by the Ludgate Hub, which is on course to create 500 jobs over the five years after experiencing a spike in interest since the rural digital hub opened in July. The Ludgate Hub has also been listed as a finalist in the European Broadband Awards, where the European Commission acknowledges outstanding broadband internet projects from all over Europe. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity, which is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and 10 times as powerful as the market leading service in rural Ireland, has given Skibbereen the same level of broadband connectivity as leading international hubs such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. As a result, Skibbereen is now able to compete for foreign direct investment, whilst also giving residents the potential to create the next Facebook or Google in West Cork. Commenting about the announcement, Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO, said: “Fast and reliable broadband is transforming the modern economy and can play a significant role in revitalising communities by opening up new markets for local businesses, allowing residents to remotely work from home and take advantage of all the digital services available in education, healthcare and entertainment.” “The SIRO rollout will have as big an impact on Skibbereen as rural electrification did, changing how people live and work forever. The SIRO enabled Ludgate Hub is already proving to be a tremendous success and it is set to be the cornerstone of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in West Cork. As our 100% fibre optic broadband network, powered entirely by light, is different and better than any other technology, we have future-proofed Skibbereen’s broadband needs for decades ahead.” SIRO’s 100% fibre optic broadband network is powered by light, making it different and better than any other broadband infrastructure in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. It will transform the internet experience of SMEs, remote workers and consumers in Skibbereen. SIRO offers a wholesale open access network meaning that it will be available to all telecoms operators in Ireland to resell to their customers, giving people value and choice. Four retailers – Vodafone, Digiweb, Westnet and Carnsore Broadband – have already signed up to make broadband services powered by SIRO available. Using the existing ESB network, SIRO is delivered through fibre optic cables which run alongside existing electricity connections, all the way to the building. This technology has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit download and upload speeds. When downloading a high definition film of 4 gigabytes with a 10 Mbps connection, the average download time is an hour - with SIRO it takes approximately 30 seconds. The first phase of the fibre roll out is currently ongoing with SIRO on schedule to connect over 500,000 homes and businesses across 50 regional towns by 2018. SIRO is building in 17 towns across the country – Dundalk, Cavan, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Wexford, Drogheda, Westport, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis, Ratheniska, Carlow and Skibbereen.

Today with Sean O'Rourke Interview

The Ludgate Hub was officially opened by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor on Friday. Brian O'Connell spoke to Grainne Dwyer, Ludgate and our Corporate Affairs Director, Stephen O'Connor. Have a listen to the interview below. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/276475174" <params="color=00cc11&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

The Ludgate Hub officially opens in Skibbereen – kickstarting a new digital age for West Cork

• Initiative aims to lead to the creation of 500 jobs in five years in the West Cork region and provide a multi-million euro boost to the local economy. • Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD officially opens the new hub that has already attracted people from Barcelona and Chicago to relocate to Skibbereen. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD has today officially opened a 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) digital hub in Skibbereen. The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which originally served as the local cinema from 1941 – 1981 and then a bakery, has been transformed into a 10,000 sq. ft digital hub which is the first of its kind in a non-urban area in Ireland. The Ludgate Hub is part of an initiative which aims to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the West Cork region and seeks to create 500 jobs in five years with an initial 75+ jobs in the start-up phase. The hub is now fully operational and has over 30 people signed up and working from the premises. To date, the hub has attracted Irish emigrants such as David Carroll, a Skibbereen native to return from Marbella with his wife and two children. It has also helped to attract people from abroad to relocate to the town including Jane and Evan Sims from Chicago and Christopher Mason from Los Angeles. Businesses operating from the Ludgate Hub have cited the “unparalleled broadband speed” as a primary reason for establishing operations in Ludgate. Vodafone Ireland is the telecoms partner to the project and SIRO, the ESB and Vodafone joint venture, is providing the 100% fibre-optic broadband network with 1 Gigabit connectivity. The broadband infrastructure is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and is powered by light, making it different and better than any other network in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point. The AIB-backed initiative is the result of the efforts of a group of entrepreneurs, digital ambassadors and local business owners, who were brought together by West Cork resident and Glen Dimplex Group President, Seán O’Driscoll. The group operates as a non-profit company and has worked on a pro-bono basis over the last two years to bring the initiative to life. The board secured €1 million in investment to kickstart the project and create a digital blueprint for the town of Skibbereen. The group aim to put the town on the map as a beacon of innovation and to provide start-ups with the environment and mentoring support required to research and commercialise opportunities to compete on a global scale. Speaking at the launch Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD said: “I’m delighted to be here in Skibbereen today to officially open the Ludgate Hub. One of my priorities as Minister is creating an environment where job growth can thrive, particularly in rural Ireland. I believe only a strong economy supporting people at work can pay for the services needed to create a fair society.” Sean O’Driscoll President of the Glen Dimplex Group and board member of Ludgate stated: “At its core, the rationale behind the Ludgate Hub is employment which will help to create a sustainable future for rural areas. Over the last decade many towns and villages in West Cork, and indeed across Ireland, have been devastated by recession and emigration. The Ludgate Hub which is powered by 1,000 Mbps of broadband opens up enormous new opportunities for West Cork. This new digital age will make the impossible possible and consign geographic economical disadvantages to history and reinvigorate rural areas in its wake.” Anne O’Leary, CEO Vodafone Ireland and Ludgate Hub board member said: “The overarching aim of the initiative is the creation of a blueprint Gigabit town for other rural areas, once disadvantaged by geography, but now enabled by the rapid development of the digital world. Skibbereen has begun a transition, made possible by the arrival of 100% fibre optic broadband, and is leading the way for similar communities to become part of a Gigabit society in Ireland. We believe that the Ludgate approach will encourage other towns and villages across Ireland to galvanise local resources and think of a bottom up approach to local economic development.” Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO said: “The launch of the Ludgate Hub is the moment that life in Skibbereen changes forever as it opens up a new world of possibilities. We have already seen people and businesses relocating to Skibbereen from places like Barcelona and Chicago in anticipation of the launch, which just goes to show how important 100% fibre optic broadband technology is in attracting investment in rural Ireland. What’s more, as a Gigabit town, Skibbereen’s young people have the potential to create the next Google or Facebook right here rather than having to move to urban areas to fulfil their ambition.” AIB CEO Bernard Byrne said: “We are delighted with the opportunity to support local economies and job creation, through our backing of the country’s first rural Digital Hub, in West Cork. Indigenous high-growth companies across the technology and life sciences sectors have good employment potential, providing quality jobs and allowing people to remain in their own communities. AIB is already providing support for the Portershed in the Galway City Innovation District and expects the expansion of initiatives such as these across urban and rural areas.” The Ludgate Hub building was made available to the project by local business man John Field. John Field: “The Field family has been involved in the business community of Skibbereen for over 80 years and I believe that the Ludgate Hub presents another exciting opportunity to bring Skibb and indeed all of West Cork to an even greater level of prosperity.” As well as the creation of the digital hub, the Ludgate group has facilitated a number of initiatives to facilitate community wide engagement of the 1 Gigabit connection. One project is the development of ‘eStreet’ a collaborative platform to encourage over 11 local retailers to trade online. This platform supported by An Post will be the first of its kind in Ireland and will enable rural communities to trade on a global platform. The local Coderdojo group, which teaches people of all ages and tech abilities to code, have also found welcomed residence in the hub and have subsequently doubled the number of participants. To stimulate international and national scalable startups, a €300,000 seed fund was launched in May and the hub will now welcome the first teams of successful applicants to the fund in the coming few months. The Ludgate Hub are also the proud organisers of National Digital Week, a highly successful series of digital events. The previously sold out event which last year brought 1,600 attendees through the door and world class speakers from the US, Europe and Ireland, is due to be held again this year in Skibbereen. Workshops, presentations and panel discussions will take place to debate the future of digital technologies. Supporters of the Ludgate Hub include; AIB, Vodafone, Ronan Daly Jermyn, Moore Nathan Stephens, KPMG, Cork County Council, Google and SIRO.