enet Partnership Agreement

SIRO and enet announced the signing of a ground-breaking network agreement between the two companies. As a result of the partnership, enet will become a SIRO aggregator enabling its customers - broadband retail service providers - access to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network. The two companies had already inked a deal allowing SIRO to use the enet network as an integral part of its build. The partnership highlights the demand for an alternative telecoms network in Ireland and will drive further competition in the broadband market by giving more telecoms companies access to Gigabit connectivity. With a network of over 70,000 premises passed, SIRO is Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) operator – the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally. enet will now connect the SIRO network to a number of additional national broadband and regional broadband retailers. Underpinning the deal, enet has made a significant investment in the development of an automated software platform that aggregates enet’s own network as well as third party infrastructure – in this case, SIRO’s. The new platform combines qualification, provisioning, billing, ticketing and lifecycle management across both wholesale and retail services and supports large, small and specialist retail service providers in the provision of superfast broadband to end users. Commenting on the announcement, Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, said: “Our partnership with enet highlights the industry demand for an alternative national telecoms infrastructure. As we are rolling out a 100% fibre-optic network, we are not constrained by outdated copper technology, which means we can deliver the best broadband experience in Ireland. Together with enet and our other partners, we will reverse the digital divide in Ireland and future-proof the country’s broadband needs for decades ahead.” Conal Henry, enet CEO, added: “enet is pleased to announce this deal which complements our deep fibre network and enhances our reach to end customer premises. With SIRO providing the last mile fibre access, enet will integrate this fibre broadband service with the Metropolitan Area Networks as well as our own national fibre network to offer a full end to end offering to all retail service providers.” Henry went on to say: “enet doesn’t compete with our retail service provider customers, of which there are now over 70, so we want to enable them all - be they small regional players or large multinationals - to compete on an even footing and have access to the same high quality fibre footprint. This initiative enables local broadband providers all over the country to access SIRO’s fibre networks through one simple integration with enet and this in turn will allow them to utilise us as a one stop shop for all their wholesale network requirements.” The enet partnership allows broadband retailers to target individual SIRO towns or offer services nationally, as well as delivering a more cost effective solution for smaller operators to sell Fibre To The Building services to their local area. SIRO is live in 11 towns (Dundalk, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Cavan, Wexford, Skibbereen, Drogheda, Mullingar and Ennis) with construction advanced in a further 5 towns (Castlebar, Westport, Portlaoise, Newbridge and Carlow).

SIRO is the first Irish operator to be admitted to the Fibre to the Home Council (FTTH) Europe, the industry organisation set up to promote the availability of ultra-high-speed fibre access networks across Europe. The Council was established in 2004 by five founding members: Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Corning, Emtelle and OFS. Since then it has grown to over 150 members drawn from all over Europe and has a dedicated team working to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of fibre access broadband. The membership comprises companies and organisations deploying Fibre to the Home broadband and manufacturers of FFTH solutions. It also includes academic institutions active in research in the area. As part of its remit to advance the availability of fibre access broadband for citizens and businesses across the continent, the Council has developed measures that policymakers can take to help promote the roll-out and take-up of fibre optics. It promotes an understanding of how FTTH can facilitate European policy goals such as the Digital Agenda and the Digital Single Market and the positive impacts FTTH availability has on communities and competitiveness. The Council advocates for a sustainable future enabled by Fibre to the Home, one which protects the environment and brings social and economic benefits to Europe’s citizens. The Council holds an annual conference every year, where industry, communities, academics and policy makers discuss the latest research on FTTH and how the technology can be advanced throughout the continent. You can find interviews and videos from the 2016 conference here. For a description on the benefits Fibre to the Home can bring to your community see here. To catch up on all the latest FTTH news please visit http://www.ftthcouncil.eu/home/latest-news

Minister Mitchell O’Connor Opens New SIRO Headquarters & Welcomes 60 New Jobs

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD officially opened SIRO’s new offices in Carrickmines, Co. Dublin and welcomed the creation of 60 new jobs by the company over the past 12 months. SIRO will now employ 120 people as it ramps up the construction of Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 500,000 premises in 50 towns nationwide. The company also announced that it will invest €150 million in its network rollout in 2017, which will support 400 subcontractors working on the project around Ireland. With over 40,000 premises passed to date in 17 regional towns, SIRO is Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) operator. FTTB is the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally and SIRO will pass 55,000 premises by the end of the year. The wholesale broadband operator’s rollout will expand to over 30 towns during the course of 2017, as demand for services powered by SIRO grows. Commenting at the office opening, Minister Mitchell O’Connor said: “Broadband connectivity is of vital importance to the Irish economy in terms of job creation and enabling Irish companies to compete online. I have seen the potential of the Gigabit society already when I opened the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which is powered by SIRO, this summer. It is an exemplar project which is already sowing the seeds for a vibrant digital economy in West Cork and transforming the broadband experience in the town. I am aware that other towns are hoping to replicate its success as part of SIRO’s rollout, which is a real boost for regional Ireland.” Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, added: “We are delighted to move into our new home after doubling our headcount to 120 and outgrowing our old premises. It is our ambition to become Ireland’s new national telecoms infrastructure and I am excited by the calibre and enthusiasm of colleagues who have joined us to help build our unique 100% optical Fibre-to-the-Building network – the only solution capable of future-proofing Ireland’s broadband needs now and for the decades ahead.” SIRO has formed partnerships with BT, Carnsore Broadband, Digiweb, Vodafone and WestNet with more retailers expected to come on board in 2017 as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market. The network interconnect agreement between SIRO and BT is of particular importance as it lays the foundation for SIRO to enable multiple retail partners, such as rural fixed and wireless broadband providers, to access its 100% fibre-optic broadband network.

SIRO, the broadband provider delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, and BT Ireland announced the signing of a network agreement between the two companies. This network interconnect agreement, which lays the foundation for all network, systems and commercial activities between the two companies, enables BT to offer its corporate, public sector and wholesale customers access to SIRO’s 1 GB Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) local-access network. BT has a unique position in the Irish market as a network aggregation service provider, which means that it can complement its own extensive local and global fibre network with last mile fibre access services from several other communications companies, the Government Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and now SIRO. This provides BT with widespread availability of access networks upon which it delivers its domestic and global networked IT services and solutions. Communications companies, including rural fixed and wireless broadband providers, can now also benefit from the widest choice and reach of access networks in Ireland through interconnecting its network with SIRO. With over 40,000 premises passed in 17 towns, SIRO is Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) operator – the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally. 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 (FTTB), has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit download and upload speeds. SIRO service is live in 9 towns (Dundalk, Cavan, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Wexford, Ratheniska & Skibbereen) while build is advanced in a further 8 towns. Drogheda, Westport, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis & Carlow. The first phase of SIRO’s rollout covers 50 regional towns, with plans for a second phase that would cover another 300 smaller towns across Ireland. The agreement is of strategic importance as it will enable smaller, regional broadband providers to access services via BT without having to invest significantly in capital infrastructure. Two of SIRO’s existing retail partners – Carnsore Broadband and WestNet – are regional broadband providers offering services in Wexford and Castlebar. The network interconnect agreement with BT will lay the foundation for SIRO to add multiple retail partners, extending its reach across Ireland. Commenting on the announcement, Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, said: “The agreement with BT is a sign of the demand by broadband providers across Ireland for an alternative national telecoms infrastructure. The combination of BT’s national fibre network and SIRO’s local access network will be transformative for regional Ireland and local operators. As our unique 100% optical Fibre-to-the-Building network is the only solution capable of future proofing Ireland’s broadband needs, we expect further interest from new retail partners within BT’s existing wholesale customer base”. Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland, added: “Since entering the market in the 1990s, BT has brought much-needed competition to the communications sector in Ireland, creating more choice for Irish organisations looking for services to help them expand within Ireland or abroad. This new agreement with SIRO adds to our access network reach, giving us a greater choice of networks to offer our clients around the country.”

SIRO returns as main sponsor of Dundalk on Ice 2016

Dundalk on Ice will once again be centre stage of Dundalk’s Frostival Programme for Christmas 2016 with SIRO, Ireland’s largest 100% Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) broadband network, once again renewing its sponsorship of the ever popular Christmas event. Dundalk Town Centre Manager Martin McElligott confirmed Dundalk on Ice will be a core part of Dundalk’s Christmas Programme, providing a fun element and boosting local trade. “Dundalk on Ice will open on Friday, November 18th with the official opening on our main ‘Frostival’ Day on Saturday, November 26th alongside the Christmas Jumper Record Attempt and switching on of the new Christmas lights and will remain open through to January 8th. I’m thrilled that SIRO has once again supported Dundalk on Ice, as last year it proved to be a tremendous alliance between high speed broadband and high speed and energetic skating!” Martin added: “Dundalk on Ice over the years has grown to become a tremendous asset to Dundalk’s ‘Frostival’ season – it attracts not only our local community, but also people living outside the town, in some instances a good distance away. For many it has become a part of their Christmas Outing calendar. In addition, it creates an additional retail boost to Town Centre businesses with increased footfall and additional revenue.” Speaking at the announcement of the sponsorship, Marianne Murphy, Head of Marketing at SIRO said: “We enjoyed last year so much that we’re delighted to sponsor this great initiative again this year! Dundalk was our first roll out town and we’ve gone from a standing start to Ireland’s biggest FTTB broadband network. We are very thankful to the people of Dundalk for being so welcoming and supportive.” Inside the Dundalk on Ice tent SIRO will be showcasing how SIRO is transforming the broadband experience of consumers and businesses in Dundalk. The roll out that SIRO is undertaking in Dundalk is future proofing the town for the range of demands customers have now and more importantly into the future. SIRO is now available in Dundalk from Vodafone and Digiweb. For Dundalk on Ice updates ‘Like’ the Dundalk on Ice Facebook page and follow @Dundalkonice on Twitter

Commenting on the Switcher’s Broadband Survey data, Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO said: “With over 36,500 premises passed in 17 towns, SIRO is Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building operator – the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally. With the first phase of our 100% fibre-optic broadband roll out underway, and 500,000 premises across 50 towns due to be passed, SIRO is leading the charge to reverse the digital divide between regional and urban areas. A number of towns* that form part of the Switcher.ie Broadband Speed Test are included in the first phase of our rollout, which means that these areas now have or will very shortly have the same level of broadband connectivity as leading international hubs such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. “SIRO is revolutionising Ireland’s broadband market with future proofed technology which is the first of its kind in Ireland - our Gigabit (1,000Mbps) connectivity is 14 times as powerful as the fastest average internet speed in Ireland highlighted in this report. This means that places like Cavan, Wexford, Drogheda and even a village like Ratheniska now have internet speeds that area 14 times faster than Drimnagh which is the best in Ireland. The data shows that almost one third of actual internet connections in Ireland are less than 5Mbps which when contrasted with ComReg** data shows that there is a real difference between what people are signing up for and what they’re getting. 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. SIRO’s unique network will be available to all broadband service providers in the country and will address the digital divide between towns and cities.” * The first phase of SIRO’s 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. Eoin Clarke, MD of Switcher.ie spoke to Newstalk Breakfast, have a listen to his interview below: [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/293116854" <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" /]

INADEQUATE INTERNET SPEED RISKS THE SURVIVAL OF RURAL-BASED BUSINESSES, ACCORDING TO VODAFONE RESEARCH

• New Community Hub Initiative to Offer Business Hubs in 17 Towns across Ireland with 1GB Broadband for Two Years Free of Charge Research carried out by Vodafone Ireland shows that nearly half (44.5%) of rurally-based small businesses believe their existing internet speed is not sufficient for their business requirements. The research1, which highlights the challenges facing rural small business, was published by Vodafone at their panel discussion on ‘Creating Ireland’s Gigabit Society’ at National Digital Week 2016 in Skibbereen, Cork. When asked about their plans for growth, nearly two-thirds (62%) of the businesses agreed that faster broadband and mobile phone coverage would enable them to expand their business. However, nearly seven in 10 (69%) said that slow and unreliable speeds prevent them from working efficiently and hold back their potential for growth. In fact, over one in three (37%) said that they would have to relocate to a nearby town or city if internet connectivity was not available. To further illustrate the importance of high speed broadband connectivity to businesses, Vodafone undertook additional research amongst a number of SoHo2 firms based at the Ludgate Digital Hub in Skibbereen. Ludgate is Ireland’s first rural digital hub providing 1 gigabit internet connection from SIRO, the joint venture between Vodafone and the ESB. When asked about company performance since moving to the Hub, all respondents said that their business had been enhanced significantly as a result of having access to high speed broadband. In fact half said that it has resulted in an increase in online sales of around 30%, with all businesses reporting that high speed broadband has made them much more optimistic for the future growth of their business. As a further sign of this optimism, the majority said 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. In recognition of a need to invest in and empower local communities through connected technologies, Vodafone has announced that it, in partnership with SIRO, will offer support to businesses and learning hubs around the country. This will be undertaken through a new initiative to provide 1GB broadband connectivity free of charge for the next two years. The initiative could potentially support over 150 businesses. SIRO is the open-access broadband provider delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide The initiative will be open to digital hubs, enterprise and innovation centres and Institutes of Technology on the SIRO footprint in its first 17 regional towns. Further details about this initiative will be made available in early 2017. Anne O’Leary, CEO of Vodafone Ireland said; “Insufficient broadband access is one of the critical issues facing Irish businesses and consumers today, particularly for those in rural locations. High speed broadband internet connectivity will mean that businesses can base themselves in any location and compete on a level playing field with some of the biggest organisations in the world. “We are particularly proud to have been part of the success of the Ludgate Hub and are committed to supporting other community projects around the country through our ‘1GB Connected Community Hub’ Initiative with SIRO. These hubs are centres of innovation nationwide and a driving force for local economic recovery. They play a vital role in the communities in which they are operating and in recognition of their role we will offer two year’s free gigabit connectivity to hubs located in the first 17 SIRO rollout towns “Vodafone is committed to delivering a gigabit society in Ireland and to playing a central role in driving that agenda – with the explicit goal of access for everyone to 1 gigabit broadband speed. Equality of connectivity will change how everyone in Ireland lives works and plays .It is now time to invest and empower our local communities through connected technologies. “ Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, added: “Gigabit connectivity is already having a transformative effect on communities across Ireland as demonstrated by the success of the Ludgate Hub. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Irish economy, but traditionally SMEs in regional and rural areas are not competing on a level playing field as they do not have access to high quality broadband. We aim to transform this by putting each of our roll out towns on a par for high speed connectivity with leading international hubs, such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. “As the largest Fibre-to-the-Building operator in Ireland with 36,500 premises passed to date, we are aware of the crucial role that strategic sites like business hubs play within their community as they foster innovation and collaboration. By delivering gigabit connectivity to each of these centres, we hope to supercharge the potential of all businesses operating within them. As a result, they will have access to the latest online services and will not be constrained in terms of poor broadband speeds slowing them down.” By the end of 2016, services powered by SIRO will be live or construction work will be underway in 17 towns across the country by the end of the year – Dundalk, Cavan, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Wexford, Drogheda, Westport, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis, Ratheniska, Carlow and Skibbereen. 1 The Vodafone research, which was carried out by Amarach, focused on 100 rurally based Small office/Home office 2 SoHo companies are classified as micro or small businesses employed between one and 10 staff. National Digital Week also saw SIRO reveal that that it has now fully completed its rollout in Skibbereen with the town on course to full gigabit connectivity. As SIRO’s retail partner in Skibbereen, Vodafone is now open for business and from next week we will begin to take orders for gigabit connections and services.

SIRO BECOMES THE LARGEST FIBRE TO THE HOME (FTTH) OPERATOR IN IRELAND AND JOINS EUROPEAN FTTH COUNCIL

• SIRO connecting 100% fibre broadband at the rate of 10,000 premises per month • Only Irish operator to join influential advocacy group of European FTTH operators • Uses existing ESB infrastructure to deliver Gigabit speeds to the home SIRO, the open-access wholesale broadband provider delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has become the largest Fibre to the Home (FTTH) operator in Ireland after passing 36,500 premises. SIRO is now passing about 10,000 premises per month and is targeting 200,000 homes and businesses passed by the end of 2017. SIRO has also become the first Irish operator to be admitted to the influential FTTH Council. The FTTH Council is an industry organisation whose mission is to accelerate the availability of ultra-high-speed fibre access networks for the benefit of consumers and businesses. The council advocates how fibre communications positively impacts communities and competitiveness and facilitates European policy goals such as the Digital Agenda and the Digital Single Market. It sets out measures that policymakers around the globe can take to help advance the roll-out and take-up of fibre optics. Today (4th November) FTTH Councils around the world celebrate “Gimme Fibre day”, an annual milestone which celebrates FTTH technology. It also marks the birthday of Nobel Prize winner Sir Charles Kuen Kao, the man who changed the way the world communicates by transmitting light in fibres for optical communication in the sixties. Commenting on the milestones Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, said: “Despite beginning construction just over a year ago, we are now Ireland’s largest FTTH provider and are on our way to establishing SIRO as Ireland’s new national telecoms infrastructure. We are now passing 10,000 premises per month and will speed up our rollout over the next year. We are already starting to see the impact that SIRO is having, with initiatives like the Ludgate Hub illustrating how Gigabit connectivity can spark a digital transformation in towns like Skibbereen.” “SIRO is the only Irish operator to be admitted to the FTTH Council, which organises today’s Gimme Fibre day. When the Council presents its reports on FTTH performance across the EU, Ireland is not even included in the graph because our broadband is still delivered over “the last mile” by copper and coaxial cable. The EU published its revised rules for Telecoms investment last month, prioritising fibre investment as a means to achieve ‘the EU Gigabit society.’ We want to change the conversation and the market in Ireland away from legacy copper networks to future proofed 100% fibre instead” 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. 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. The state of the art technology is having a transformational impact on regional Irish towns, which are now receiving internet services which are on a par with the connectivity enjoyed by international hubs like Tokyo and Hong Kong. With 25% of Irish fixed broadband connections currently offering speeds of less than 10 Mbps1, SIRO is a step-change in connectivity for regional Ireland delivering a service that is three times faster than the best service available in Dublin and over 10 times the best service available in the rest of Ireland. 1 Comreg Quarterly data, Q2 2016

SIRO Announces Carnsore Broadband As Its Fourth Retail Partner For Its 100% Fibre Optic Gigabit Broadband Network

SIRO, the open-access wholesale broadband provider delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has announced that Carnsore Broadband has become its fourth retail partner. The new partnership is the latest example of SIRO enabling regional broadband providers to compete with national broadband retailers by powering them with its 1 Gigabit broadband network. Carnsore Broadband originally began as a community project in Carne in 2006, before incorporating as a company to provide broadband services across Wexford. The company’s business clients now include leading businesses in Wexford such as Done Deal, Hertz, Maldron Hotels & Partners and South East Radio. Carnsore Broadband’s ‘Flash Broadband’ services will be available soon in Wexford town and in the future to residents and businesses in Gorey and Enniscorthy, as SIRO’s phase one rollout continues. Carnsore Broadband will launch a number of 100% fibre optic broadband packages for both residential and business customers in Wexford town, with speeds ranging from 150 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 1000 Megabits per second (1 Gbps), with pricing from as little as €45 per month. This will transform the internet experience of SMEs, remote workers and consumers, putting Wexford town on a par with international hubs like Tokyo and Hong Kong for broadband connectivity. For context, a high definition film (4GB) would take one hour to download with a 10mbps connection - with SIRO it will take 30 seconds. Commenting about the new partnership with Carnsore Broadband, Sean Atkinson, Chief Executive of SIRO, said: “Our partnership with Carnsore Broadband is the latest example of how SIRO is transforming the broadband experience across Ireland. Not only are we delivering Gigabit connectivity to 50 towns across the country, but we are also giving regional broadband providers like Carnsore Broadband the firepower to compete with national broadband providers.” “SIRO is now on course to become the largest Fibre-to-the-Home provider in the country, helping to reverse the digital divide in Ireland. This new partnership is a key part of our ambition to become the new national telecoms infrastructure and also highlights that if we are successful in our bid for the National Broadband Plan regional broadband providers will be able to deliver future proofed broadband services to every premises in their county.” Barry Darmody, Managing Director of Carnsore Broadband, added: “This is a game changer for our business. There is nothing faster than the speed of light, so our customers will be guaranteed the best broadband experience in the country thanks to SIRO’s 100% fibre optic network. Residents and businesses in Wexford town will be able to avail of next generation services due to SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity.” “As a Wexford born-and-bred company, we have seen first-hand how vital internet access has become for the personal and professional lives of everyone in the county. By offering access to SIRO’s unrivalled broadband network, we will literally change people’s lives, whether it’s giving a business the foundation to grow its customer base by selling online or giving students access to the best educational resources on the internet.” Customers interested in availing of Carnsore Broadband’s SIRO powered products should log onto http://www.carnsorebroadband.com.

SIRO Offers Irish Startups the Chance to Attend National Digital Week & Experience Gigabit Connectivity at the Ludgate Hub.

SIRO, the open-access broadband provider delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has launched a competition for the chance for Irish startups to win four passes for National Digital Week and five nights’ accommodation in Skibbereen, as well as the chance to also experience firsthand the power of SIRO’s 1 Gigabit broadband connectivity at the Ludgate Hub. Any Irish startup interested in winning simply has to tweet SIRO or post to their Facebook page to explain why they would benefit from attending National Digital Week. Ireland’s second ever National Digital Week will take place from November 10 – 12th in Skibbereen in the heart of West Cork, with 1,600 entrepreneurs, digital marketers, technology enthusiasts and those embarking on a digital journey, expected to attend. The event has been organised by the Ludgate Hub, Ireland’s first rural digital hub and will feature 80 top class speakers. Launching the competition Marianne Murphy, Head of Marketing at SIRO, said: “We want to inspire the next wave of Irish startups and give them the chance to attend National Digital Week by hearing from technology leaders in picturesque Skibbereen. While they’re there, they will also be able to work in the Ludgate Hub and experience Gigabit broadband connectivity for themselves.” National Digital Week co-organiser Callum Donnelly, added: ”We want to show the Irish startup community that they do not need to limit their ambition because of where they are located. Thanks to the rollout of SIRO’s 1 Gigabit broadband network, it is now possible for businesses to establish themselves in Skibbereen, so this is an ideal opportunity to showcase West Cork at the heart of a Gigabit society.” Officially opened in July this year, the Ludgate Digital Hub is the first rural hub to receive a massive 1 Gigabit connectivity provided by Vodafone as the town is connected to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network. 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.