Gift A Piece Of Ireland This Christmas: Supporting Local Businesses This Festive Season

The holiday season is a time for spreading joy, sharing gifts, and embracing the spirit of giving. As we are all on the lookout for the ideal gifts, it's important to recognise the influence of our decisions and the invaluable support we can extend to local businesses. In Ireland, the sentiment to buy local is strong, with 62% of shoppers keen on purchasing gifts from Irish businesses. Furthermore, nearly seven in 10 individuals are committed to sourcing Irish food for their festive feasts. The variety of offerings from Irish artisans and entrepreneurs is significant. From crafted jewellery and traditional knitwear to delectable artisanal foods and unique handcrafted goods, the diversity is impressive and diverse. These businesses are often steeped in passion, tradition, and innovation, reflecting the vibrant culture of Ireland. Choosing to support Irish businesses contributes not just to the economy but also to the preservation of local artistry, sustainability, and the livelihoods of fellow community members. Here's why it's worth considering and how you can make a difference this festive season. Unveiling Unique Treasures Irish businesses often specialise in creating unique, one-of-a-kind products. Each piece - be it a hand-knit Aran sweater, delicately designed Celtic jewellery, or artisanal chocolates made from family recipes – has an individuality that sets them apart from mass-produced items. They carry stories, histories, and demonstrate the dedication and talent of local creators. Nurturing Local Economy Supporting local businesses is akin to investing in the local community. 1,093,747 people were employed in SMEs in 2020, which was over two-thirds of the total Irish workforce. Many of whom are currently employed in businesses working in the craft, food or hospitality sectors. When you purchase from an Irish business, you directly contribute to the livelihoods of your neighbours, friends, and families. This sustains local employment, boosts economic growth, and helps in the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions. Fostering Sustainability Many Irish businesses take pride in their sustainable practices. Whether it's sourcing materials locally, using eco-friendly packaging, or implementing ethical production methods, these businesses often prioritise sustainability. By supporting them, you indirectly contribute to a more environmentally conscious economy, whilst avoiding the negative aspects related to products transported into Ireland from far flung destinations. How to Support Irish Businesses Online In an increasingly digital world, online shopping presents a vast landscape of options. Here are some ways to prioritise Irish businesses in your holiday shopping:

1. Explore Irish Marketplaces: Platforms like "Guaranteed Irish Gifts” and "Irish Design Shop" are dedicated to promoting Irish products. They serve as hubs for a variety of locally crafted goods, making it easier to find unique gifts. SIRO is a proud member of the Guaranteed Irish network of businesses based in Ireland that support sustainable jobs, and make positive contributions to local communities.
2. Social Media and Direct Websites: Many Irish businesses showcase their products on social media platforms or have their dedicated websites. Follow and engage with these businesses directly to stay updated on their offerings and promotions.
3. Local Business Directories: Utilise local business directories to find Irish shops, boutiques, and craftspeople. These directories offer comprehensive lists of businesses within specific regions, making it easier to discover hidden gems in your vicinity.
4. Gift Irish Experiences: Consider gifting experiences from local businesses, such as cooking classes, brewery tours, or vouchers for local restaurants. These unique experiences contribute to the local economy and create lasting memories.

By supporting Irish businesses, we can enhance this joy, making a significant impact on our local communities and preserving Ireland's rich cultural heritage. Let's make a difference and celebrate the season by spreading the love for local businesses. If you are buying your Christmas gifts online, make sure you enjoy a seamless shopping experience with SIRO 100% fibre broadband. To see if SIRO is available to you, search your Eircode today [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

The EPA says that Ireland is projected to fall well short of climate targets. Ireland will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 29% by 2030, compared to a target of 51%. Add to this that all industries are on track to exceed their emissions ceilings (the amount of emissions a sector can emit under current GHG budgets). So, you might be asking is it even possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius? The International Energy Agency believes it’s still possible. However, dramatic, and immediate action is needed if we are to stand a chance. We need governments, civil society, businesses, and others working in partnership to deliver on this.

SIRO’s Science Based Target

SIRO recognises this urgent call to action and has taken proactive steps on the crucial journey towards decarbonisation of our network. In 2022, SIRO achieved a verified Science Based Target (SBT), initiating efforts to significantly decrease GHG emissions from our operations. SIRO commits to reduce absolute scope 1 (electricity) and scope 2 (fuel) GHG emissions 42% by 2030 from a 2019 base year, and to measure and reduce its scope 3 (value chain) emissions. SIRO’s SBT is aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius. It provides an evidence-backed goal for SIRO and a realistic timeline for achieving emissions reduction.

Initiatives that are decarbonising SIRO’s network

Between 2019 and 2022, SIRO’s absolute direct emissions have decreased by 23%. The majority of this is attributed to a decrease in diesel consumption resulting from our expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleet. Emissions from diesel decreased by 48%, while SIRO’s EV’s increased to 60% of the fleet. By the end of 2023, it is expected that we will reduce our emissions from purchased electricity by over 70% from 2022 numbers. This will reduce SIRO’s direct emissions by approximately 340 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (or about 187 flights from London to Los Angeles). These savings are a result of swapping to 100% renewable energy, which will fully decarbonise SIRO’s network from May 2023 under the GHG Protocol’s market-based method. For 2024 and beyond, SIRO is exploring options such as entering a Power Purchasing Agreement that would help to support an increase of renewable energy sources in Ireland. This year, SIRO’s fleet also reached 80% EV’s, a 20% increase on 2022. This means we can expect further emissions savings from diesel from our ongoing fleet electrification. With these combined initiatives, SIRO expects to achieve our SBT of reducing our direct emissions by 42%, seven years ahead of schedule.

The importance of transparency and reporting

Reporting on non-financial information is essential for building trust and is an extension of our commitment to transparency. SIRO publicly reports our GHG footprint annually in our Sustainability Report. To ensure the accuracy of our annual report, SIRO undertook third-party verification of our GHG emissions. Having successfully achieved limited assurance against ISO – 14064-3:2019, SIRO can objectively track progress against our SBT. SIRO has also begun reporting under the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as of 2023. The CDP helps companies measure, manage, and disclose their GHG emissions, and offers a scored metric of internal management of climate-related issues. It is the only organisation that gathers corporate GHG data and provides it to the marketplace, increasing transparency, and offering a system through which companies can gauge how they perform against their peers.

Collaboration and partnerships

Collaboration is key for high impact sustainable leadership. SIRO’s partnership with the Science Based Targets Initiative is the key driver for all emissions reduction programmes. Further, our partnership with Clearstream Solutions to verify our direct GHG emissions ensures that we can objectively track our performance against our SBT. Beyond this, we partner with many organisations to ensure our continued progress against our goals.

Looking beyond our direct emissions

Scope 3 emissions include those generated in the value chain such as through purchased goods and services, waste, or transportation and distribution. They typically account for three-quarters of a company’s emissions. In 2023, SIRO undertook our first scope 3 inventory and found that value chain emissions account for over 95% of our overall GHG footprint. Having identified priority areas for emissions reduction in our value chain, we can develop initiatives to target these areas. For example, waste generated in our operations accounts for 6.8% of our overall GHG emissions and is our third largest scope 3 category. SIRO has reduced general waste to landfill by 90% and is now working with local governments and suppliers to target backfill waste. We are doing this by researching novel options for in situ reuse to avoid inert material ending up in landfill unnecessarily.

SIRO’s GHG emissions reduction journey continues

Immediate climate action is required if we are to limit temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius. SIRO has made significant progress against our Science Based Target, reducing emissions from diesel by 48% by the end of 2022, and fully decarbonising the network through the uptake of renewable energy in 2023. Through our collaboration with many organisations to support our decarbonisation, SIRO is on track to achieve our Science Based Target seven years ahead of schedule. Our attention now turns to our value chain emissions where we have an opportunity for even greater reductions. You can follow along on SIRO’s GHG emissions reduction journey here. Read more on our sustainability journey here.

SIRO, a leading broadband operator, has today announced that it is expanding its full fibre broadband network to Celbridge and Leixlip. Build is now underway in both towns, with the network expected to go live, on a rolling basis, at the end of this year and into 2024. With this latest expansion in County Kildare, SIRO’s network will now be available in 13 towns across the county. These towns include Athy, Clane, Johnstown, Kilcock, Kildare town, Maynooth, Monasterevin, Naas, Newbridge, Prosperous, Sallins, and now Celbridge and Leixlip. The announcement was made as part of a presentation by senior SIRO representatives to the monthly meeting of Kildare County Council this week. In Celbridge, SIRO’s rollout is targeting a total of 2,200 premises, with the majority (2,000 premises) of these now built and already able to connect to SIRO’s network and the remainder joining the network in 2024. SIRO’s network in Leixlip is expected to go live the first half of 2024. SIRO has been rolling out its network across Ireland and County Kildare since 2016. Over that period SIRO's total investment in County Kildare has reached €40 million, with 40,000 premises or 110,000 people who can now access its network. The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Celbridge and Leixlip is part of SIRO’s ongoing network growth. SIRO is targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. To date, over 540,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. Overall, SIRO is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland. Commenting on the announcement, SIRO Chief Executive Officer, John Keaney, said:

"Today SIRO is announcing the expansion of our broadband services to Celbridge and Leixlip – the 12th and 13th towns in the county to have access to our full fibre broadband network. “SIRO’s network now has a significant footprint in the county. Demand for SIRO’s network across Kildare, provided through our retail partners such as Virgin Media, Vodafone and Sky, has been consistently strong, and we expect to see a similar demand in our newest Kildare towns. “Since our foundation, SIRO has been committed to connecting communities with high-speed, high-quality, and dependable broadband. Our track record of delivery in Kildare speaks to our ongoing commitment to the county. “Access to reliable and future proofed connectivity is essential for all communities to live more sustainably and in ways that meet their needs, but also for businesses and enterprise to thrive across Kildare”, added Mr. Keaney.

To find out if SIRO is available at your home, search your Eircode here. [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

SIRO, a leading Irish broadband network provider, has won a major award at this year’s European Broadband Awards 2023. The Awards which are organised by the European Commission recognise outstanding broadband deployment projects in Europe and highlight successful infrastructures. The Awards took place on 21 November last at a special prize giving ceremony in Brussels. The Awards celebrate Member State projects that are playing a key role in achieving digital connectivity in Europe. Multiple broadband projects from across Europe’s 27 Member States entered this year’s Awards, with a smaller number subsequently shortlisted for the competition. These projects spanned a diverse range in terms of geographic location, size and technology, with only five projects selected as winners at the Awards. The final five projects included SIRO’s full fibre broadband roll-out which was selected as the winner under the category of "Innovative Models of Financing, Business, and Investment." The jury noted that SIRO has adopted a successful wholesale-only model which though still not common in Europe, was “innovative” and “pragmatic” in pushing forward the objectives of the EU’s Digital Decade. This includes Gigabit connectivity for all European citizens no later than 2030. SIRO’s operational model means it builds and operates its full fibre broadband network and then wholesales this network to a range of broadband retailers such as Virgin Media, Vodafone and Sky, amongst others, who then resell broadband services to end user homes and businesses. Established in 2015 as a joint venture between electricity operator, ESB, and global telecoms group Vodafone, SIRO is rolling out a full fibre broadband across Ireland. The company’s network is now available in over 540,000 premises in all Irish cities and 135 towns. SIRO is on track to provide access to its network to over 700,000 premises by 2026. SIRO CFO Michelle Mullally, accepting the European Broadband Award on behalf of SIRO noted:

“SIRO is a unique project in Irish and in European terms. A joint venture between a State electricity company and a global telecoms entity; using an existing electricity network supporting circular economy principles; and, with a distinct funding model which blends Irish and international lenders, largest amongst them the European Investment Bank”. “SIRO’s objective has always been to bridge digital divides across Ireland – regional and urban – and provide communities with access to future proofed and reliable broadband, on a par with the most advanced economies in the world. “It’s very special to have SIRO and Ireland recognised by the European Commission and our broadband peers across Europe for the work we are doing to achieve that objective,” added. Ms. Mullally.

For more information about SIRO and our services, take a read here.

SIRO and Vodafone have today announced a connectivity partnership with Galway’s CREW, Creative Enterprise, and Innovation Hub, a new shared and own-door enterprise space for businesses in the creative digital enterprise sector that is scheduled to open in early 2024. CREW will join Vodafone-SIRO’s GigaBitHub Initiative, which provides world class Gigabit full fibre broadband connectivity to digital hubs across Ireland. The CREW (Creative Enterprise West) Enterprise Hub will support enterprises in the CREA-Tech sector, defined as where creativity meets technology. The sector includes digital design, film and TV production, virtual production, animation, gaming, content development and immersive technologies. It is estimated that there are already 3,000 businesses working in this sector in the West of Ireland. Seizing the opportunity to grow the sector and jobs within it further is a key focus for government. The CREW Creative Enterprise Hub will provide individual office spaces, co-working spaces and hot desks for 160 people working within the CreaTech sector; offer incubation and accelerator programmes; and offer wider outreach services beyond the Hub across the Atlantic region. CREW have already confirmed several high-profile clients who will base themselves at the Creative Enterprise Hub, Ireland’s first Hub dedicated to this sector, these include Screen Ireland, the national development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry, Ardán, which supports individuals within the film, TV, games and animation industries and global animation company, Triggerfish. [caption id="attachment_8799" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SIRO and Vodafone announce connectivity partnership (as part of their Gigabit Hub Initiative), with Galway’s latest innovation hub – Creative Enterprise West (CREW). The Hub is set to open in early 2024 and is focused on supporting businesses in creative arts[/caption] There are a number of offices and desks available for startup companies, SME’s and individuals wishing to base themselves at CREW. CREW “Creative Enterprise West” is a collaborative initiative led by Atlantic Technological University’s School of Design and Creative Arts (ATU Galway City, Wellpark Road), the Western Development Commission (WDC) and Ardán. Funding for the hub was received from Enterprise Ireland (EI) through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund. The Hub, which is expected to open early in 2024, is a new purpose-built facility located on the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway City (Wellpark Rd) campus, just one mile from Galway city centre. Vodafone-SIRO’s GigaBitHub Initiative is centred on providing reliable, resilient and future proofed connectivity to digital hubs across Ireland. It empowers hubs by providing them with high-speed, high-quality full fibre broadband. The GigaBitHub Initiative commenced in 2016 with the aim of enabling remote working and digital hubs with broadband connectivity, allowing both the hub and their users to run and grow their businesses seamlessly. Since then, the Initiative has partnered with 21 hubs in every corner of Ireland, from Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen to The Base in Stranolar in Donegal. CREW will be the third Galway hub to join the Initiative, with PorterShed in Galway City and Comworks in Loughrea already members. Commenting on the Vodafone-SIRO connectivity partnership CREW CEO, Niamh Costello, said: 

“CREW’s Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub is set to be a game-changer for the CREA-Tech sector in Galway and the West. With world-class connectivity provided by SIRO and Vodafone, our members will have the tools they need to drive innovation, collaboration, and growth in this fast-growing industry. “We look forward to working with SIRO and Vodafone to elevate Ireland’s Creative Industries sector as a global frontrunner. This collaboration empowers our members with the essential connectivity resources and networks to thrive on a world stage.”

Vodafone Ireland Network Director, Sheila Kavanagh, stated:

“Since our Gigabit Hubs initiative started in 2017, we have welcomed its impact as the hubs have made significant contributions to the local economies and communities in which they operate. “Our latest connectivity partnership with Galway’s CREW Innovation Hub, will further build on the opportunities available to the people of Galway, ensuring that they can pursue their CREA-Tech careers within the area they are from and can benefit from a better work life balance.”

SIRO CEO, John Keaney, said:

“Galway has always been synonymous with both the creative arts and a strong tech sector, so it is really fitting that the city will now have a dedicated creative enterprise hub to further develop and grow this sector. “The CREW Hub will help elevate the West’s creative industries sector empowering individual and businesses to unlock the opportunities enabled by digital technologies. This includes developing new creative technologies, collaborating remotely with other enterprises and reaching wider global audiences. The SIRO-Vodafone partnership we are announcing today will provide the connectivity foundation which makes these ambitions possible,” added Mr. Keaney.

For more on CREW, visit: www.CrewDigital.ie   SIRO is currently accepting applications for GigaBitHub applications within our network footprint. For more information, please visit https://siro.ie/about-us/gigabit-hubs/

As Black Friday approaches, Irish businesses have a golden opportunity to enhance their online sales and build customer engagement and loyalty for the longer term. A seamless online shopping experience can significantly boost your revenue and ensure Black Friday is a resounding success. Below are some simple and effective ways to achieve this goal.

Optimise your website speed

Web traffic during Black Friday is three times higher than any normal day in October; which means that businesses must ensure their websites are optimised for traffic to avoid driving potential customers away. Resources like Google’s PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix can analyse your site’s content and generate specific suggestions to improve its speed. Here are additional tactics that can help to accelerate your site’s loading time:

Compress images

Keep in mind that large images on web pages can delay loading times. Try compressing and optimise images on your website by changing their file formats, enabling lazy loading, or compressing images through lossy or lossless compression.

Cache your web pages

One of the most effective ways to improve load time is a process called "caching." This means that copies of your site's files are prepared in a readily accessible place in your server. Every time a consumer visits your site, the cached file is sent to the visitor's browser and your server doesn't need to retrieve all the relevant content from your database, using fewer resources to complete the process. You can cache your web pages in a few different ways using caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Rocket, .

Use a CDN

Ensure that your website can seamlessly handle increased traffic and transactions by integrating a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to enhance page loading speed. CDNs efficiently and securely distribute various forms of digital content to your website's visitors, regardless of where they are in the world or the device they are using. This is achieved by storing and distributing duplicates of your website's static content through servers positioned globally. You have a range of CDN alternatives to select from, including the option to enable a CDN directly from your dashboard if your hosting provider offers this feature.

Search Engine Optimization

Organic search can help generate additional sales from visitors looking for a specific item, but unsure of where to find it. While an SEO strategy takes time to implement, following these tactics can contribute to more organic traffic and sales on Black Friday.

Optimise for specific keywords

Be sure to incorporate Black Friday-related keywords in your page titles, URLs, and alt-text to boost your SEO ranking on search engines. By working on SEO, you can lead new customers to your website and make it easier for returning customers to find their way back. The same principle applies to the imagery on your website. Be sure to add alt text to the images that is relevant to the item and ties back to the keyword(s) you're optimising for. This will improve your site's crawlability.

Mobile Optimisation

With the rise of mobile shopping, it's crucial to have a mobile-optimised website. Keep in mind that Google's Mobile-first Index evaluates search results exclusively based on the mobile version of web pages. This means mobile-optimised will rank first on search results. Ensure that your site is responsive and user-friendly on smartphones and tablets. Once you have established the mobile version of your website, you can assess its user-friendliness using a range of complimentary tools provided by Google.

Create dedicated landing pages

To make your business stand out in the online Black Friday landscape, it is recommended to create a dedicated landing page. This way you can enhance your Black Friday campaigns and convert more visitors into long-term customers. By directing traffic to your Black Friday landing page, you can educate customers about your brand and products, gather campaign-specific data, capture visitor information for future targeting, and showcase other products of interest.

Target Long-Tail Keywords

During the competitive shopping season of Black Friday, long-tail keywords can play a crucial role in driving targeted traffic and conversions. Consumers searching for "best Black Friday TV deals" or " Black Friday fashion discounts" for example, are closer to making a purchase. By incorporating these targeted keywords into your SEO strategy, you can connect with potential customers actively seeking your products or services.

Leverage social media

In this digital age, social media is a powerful tool to reach your target customers and boost your leads during Black Friday. Identify the social channels in which your audiences are more active. Plan a tailored social media campaign to showcase your best deals, and discounts, utilising high-quality visuals and a compelling copy. With the use of relevant hashtags, you can expand the visibility of your posts and join trending conversations around to Black Friday. By implementing these tactics, you can make the most of Black Friday and make it a memorable shopping event for your business and customers alike. Keep in mind also that a fast and reliable broadband connection is necessary to successfully optimise your website and boost your online sales. With speeds up to 10Gb, SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband can enable you to do business different on Black Friday. To find out if SIRO 100% fibre broadband is available in your area, search your Eircode today [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

ChatGPT, launched back in November 2022, has taken the world by storm. A recent article by RTE noted that by April of this year there were 173 million users of ChatGPT globally. This number can only be expected to grow, as more and more people begin to use this tool. ChatGPT is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) Chatbot, which can both comprehend and form human-like answers when asked a question by a user. This kind of technology is designed to help you with any questions you may have – on any topic, within an almost instantaneous timeframe. Like a google search, but one that you can chat back and forth with. As with any technology there are multiple benefits and some limitations to using ChatGPT. Although these limitations may reduce overtime. Below we look at some of the most beneficial ways in which individuals can use ChatGPT and are the watchouts that are good to bear in mind.

User Benefits:

Generating Creative Ideas

The great thing about ChatGPT is that it can help you with creative generating ideas it’s proving difficult for you to generate them. For instance, if you had writers block and were looking to make a start on a blog for your company website – you can get some inspiration from using this tool. You could ask the chatbot "List X number of ideas for blogs about Y.” You can assess the results and go from there.

Making recommendations

Another example could be if you’re due to host movie night for friends/family and need some recommendations on what to watch to watch and where, you could ask the chatbot “What are some of the best movies on Netflix Ireland right now?”, or “What are the best streaming platforms to watch X movie on?”.  Movie night is saved at a touch of a button!

Improving your existing content

Looking to update your CV or draft a strong cover letter? ChatGPT can help you tailor your CV according to the job you are applying for, maximising your chances of getting that job you’ve always wanted. You could ask something like “Generate 5 bullet points which demonstrate my ability to do X skill”. Further, it can assist with drafting a cover letter for the job you are applying for, tailoring it to the job description and requirements. Overall, this is a beneficial tool for jobseekers, as it saves you a lot of time and energy.

Help with Homework

Not by doing your homework, but by explaining concepts and ideas to you in individualised way that matches your learning style. Think of scenario where what’s written in your textbook just doesn’t make sense to you. You can ask ChatGPT to explain the same concept to you and then continue to interact with it by asking follow on questions which makes it much clearer and easier to understand.

The Limitations:

Unable to distinguish between fact and fiction:

ChatGPT’s information is gathered from data from the internet. The limitation with this is that the information provided isn’t 100% guaranteed to be always accurate and factually correct. The information could be unreliable, based on opinion vs. fact and could also show an element of bias. For students, this is something to keep in mind. It’s important to fact check the information given or cross check with another source, before deciding to use it.

Inability to understand context:

Unfortunately, ChatGPT gathers answers to a question asked, but it is unable to comprehend other information which would come before/after this, to develop a proper discussion. If humour or sarcasm are used, ChatGPT would struggle to comprehend this. So, it’s recommended to bear this in mind when dealing with the Chatbot.

Issues with generating long-form content:

This tool may have issues in forming any long-form content, and typically instead it works better for gathering smaller pieces of information. The programme finds it difficult to produce a long-form piece that has a clear structure and flow, and therefore it wouldn’t be fit for producing quality sample essays or reports to use in school, college or work. You’re better off drafting the essay or report yourself, just taking nuggets of information from the Chatbot if you need. Also, you need to bear in mind that that if ChatGPT attributes a statement or piece of research, you still need to attribute that person or research to avoid falling foul of plagiarism. AI tools are only beginning to embed into human experience and practical application, so it’s   always best to proceed with caution and use your best judgement to decide when it is and is not appropriate to use ChatGPT. To be able to experience the full effects of this AI tool, having a high-speed broadband connection is essential. This will enable you to receive quick results from the Chatbot and make the experience seamless and fit for purpose. For more information on ChatGPT visit - openai.com. To find out if SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband is available to your home, search your Eircode today [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

Today we are happy to announce that build works are underway for homes and businesses in Youghal to bring full fibre broadband to the town later this year. Our fibre broadband will bring reliable, high-speed connectivity to over 3,000 homes and businesses in Youghal. The build works in the area, carried out on behalf of SIRO by build contractor CBE, commenced during the summer, with the works set to complete early next year. Areas in Youghal which will benefit from the roll out include (but are not limited to): Radharc na Mara, Kilcoran Place, Upper Strand Road, Meadowvalley, Chestnut Drive, Shanavine, Seafield, Rectory Road, Carleton Village, Bay View Grove, The Estuary, Cnoc Aoibhinn and Quarry Vale. Homes and businesses in Youghal will be able to order SIRO from one of its many retailer partners, including Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Blacknight Solutions and Fastcom. The build works in Youghal are being undertaken by contractor, CBE, on behalf of SIRO. Portuguese-founded CBE now employs a significant local workforce in Cork. CBE have successfully partnered with SIRO, since 2017, on its full fibre broadband network rollout across Ireland. This work includes over 100,000 premises with 44,000 in Cork alone. Towns that can already avail of SIRO in Cork include Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Cork City, Little Island, Mallow, Midleton, Passage West and Skibbereen. We are currently rolling out to a number of further Cork County towns which are already under construction or due to commence later this year such as Bandon, Fermoy and Kinsale. [caption id="attachment_8666" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] John Keaney, CEO of SIRO, Minister Simon Coveney and Carlos Barroqueiro, CEO of CBE[/caption] SIRO is a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone delivering full fibre broadband to towns and cities across Ireland. The company’s network uses the existing ESB electricity network to bring connectivity to the hearth of homes and businesses. To date, SIRO’s fibre broadband network is available to over 520,000 premises in more than 135 towns across Ireland, including over 60,000 premises across Cork city and county. The company is on track to deliver full fibre broadband to over 700,000 premises by 2026. Our full fibre network can provide speeds of up to 2 Gigabits per second for residential customers and up to 10 Gigabits per second for business and enterprise customers. Launching SIRO’s Youghal network, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, noted that:

“The rollout will have a transformative effect on Youghal as Fibre-to-the-Building is recognised as the gold standard for broadband internationally. As a result, this will give Youghal businesses a head start against their peers both at home and internationally, as well as giving homes access to the latest innovative digital services. This substantial investment by SIRO is another sign of how Government has encouraged investment by the private sector to boost our broadband capability.”

Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO John Keaney said:

“Fast and resilient connectivity is the cornerstone of how we all now live and work. “Having a full fibre network outside your door, gives the community of Youghal - homes and businesses - a resource that enables and empowers their community to live sustainably, thrive economically and attract investment into the town. “The arrival of SIRO’s fibre broadband to Youghal will hugely benefit the local community ensuring they have a connection which is reliable, high-speed and future-proofed. “We are pleased with the progress made so far on building out our network in Youghal, with our contract partner CBE, and looking forward to our service becoming available to order by the end of this year,” added Mr. Keaney.

For further information on CBE’s work, please visit their website http://www.cbe.pt/ To connect to SIRO’s broadband network register your interest here. [mailchimp_modal button-text="Register Your Interest" title="Sign Up Form" position="mid"]

Thursday 19th of October marks National Women's Enterprise Day. This enterprise event promotes, encourages and stimulates female entrepreneurship across Ireland. In celebration of National Women's Enterprise Day, we spoke to Lorraine Gribbons, Managing Director at Fastcom, who talks us through the challenges and rewards of her journey as an entrepreneur.

Background of Business

Founded in 2004, Fastcom is one of Ireland's largest independently owned telecoms providers with customers across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the US. The company partners with over ten infrastructure providers to offer the widest range of broadband connectivity and communications solutions to customers in various sectors, including government, healthcare, retail, logistics, and education. Fastcom is one of SIRO's retail partners and has over 1,500 customers across Ireland.

Tell us about your business?

Our business is Fastcom Broadband, a telecoms provider based in Sligo and serving customers across the country. We serve the business and domestic markets, providing broadband, phone and cyber security services. We have a huge range of customers of various sizes and operating in many different industries. We cater for all and can provide the flexibility that many of our larger competitors cannot, especially for our business customers.

What motivated you to start your own business?

My husband, Ross, started Fastcom back in 2004. I was working in Dublin training with KPMG to be a Chartered Accountant at the time. I moved back to Sligo and worked in an accountancy practice as a manager for several years before joining Fastcom in 2016. I was always involved in the background from when the business was set up, taking the next step to become CEO was the next step for me. It has been so personally rewarding to see Fastcom grow throughout the years to where we are now.

What has been the biggest challenge or learning for you?

I suppose my biggest challenge was that I was an accountant and not a "techie" and was operating in a very technical industry. In my training as a Chartered Accountant, I would have seen a wide range of clients, so I had great exposure on the side of running a business. Still, it did take me a while to get my head around the technical side of the business. We are fortunate to have a great team here now who have the expertise and skills necessary to keep that side running smoothly all the time.

What advice would you give women thinking about starting their own business?

I think just to go for it. If starting a business and working for yourself is something you are passionate about, you have to give it a go. It can be tricky sometimes, but the rewards are more than worth it.

Finally, as a company's CEO providing broadband connectivity, what are the key ways technology can help women in business?

One key element is the flexibility it can provide for working. Everyone experienced that when COVID hit, and we all had to make the shift and work remotely from what we would all have known as a standard office environment. Connectivity unlocks technology that can make all our lives easier. From the perspective of running a business and juggling all the responsibilities that come with that have a secure fibre broadband connection is a first step. From there, there are multiple digital tools which can help to enhance your productivity and allowing you to focus on business priorities vs. getting weighed down with important but time-consuming administrative tasks. AI is just one really exciting tool which is now beginning to gain traction and become embedded in business, and which is likely to really change how business operates – but in a positive way! To read more on SIRO's sustainability efforts and how we encourage equity in the workplace, click here.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland, Charlie McConalogue TD, Friday last, 6 October officially opened the Inishowen Innovation Hub, in Buncrana.  Inishowen Innovation represents a significant milestone towards fostering disruptive technological advancement, entrepreneurship and economic development in the Inishowen Peninsula, and wider North-West Ireland City Region.   The state-of-the-art 700sqm space for start-up and scaling disruptive technology businesses, features gigabit fibre broadband provided by Vodafone and SIRO, along with office space, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities, and access to essential tools and technologies.   It is co-funded by Donegal County Council and the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), made available by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland.   Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD stated:  

“It is my honour to formally open the Inishowen Innovation Hub in Buncrana today. This hub will be a game changer for Buncrana, Inishowen and the North West and will help current businesses and new businesses flourish in the area. My thanks to all those involved for their hard work in making this day happen.” 

Inishowen Innovation will serve as a dynamic centre for collaboration, creativity, and growth where digital startups and tech entrepreneurs are given the support they need to harness their innovative ideas and drive positive change in the region.   It also meets the demand for remote working space and offers a satellite location for global companies looking for a European base. It is already home to 25 clients and is a testament to the Irish governments commitment to creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow and innovate.  Maebh Conaghan, Regional Director West and North-West Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said:  

“The Inishowen Innovation hub in Buncrana is focused on supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Inishowen Peninsula and the North West Region, with a particular focus on fostering disruptive technological advancement. Enterprise Ireland has been proud to support the hub with funding of €1.1 million under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) to support that goal. We are delighted to see this fantastic new facility formally opened today which will provide a real boost to the region.”. 

The Governance structure of Inishowen Innovation includes representation from Donegal County Council, ERNACT and ATU Donegal, with ERNACT responsible for managing the development of the project and providing management and financial services to Inishowen Innovation. Other key stakeholders and advisors are drawn from CoLab, Donegal Education and Training Board, Forward Emphasis International, Inishowen Development Partnership, Spraoi agus Spórt, Tata Consultancy Services, and Ulster University.   Speaking at the launch, John McLaughlin, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council added:  

“The investment by Donegal County Council and Enterprise Ireland into the development of Inishowen Innovation is fundamental to the development of Inishowen’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Building an entrepreneurial disruptive tech community in the region is at the core of this new building. It provides a space where technology start-ups and innovators will be supported and nurtured.” 

Sinéad Bryan, Managing Director of Vodafone Business said:  

“Since the beginning of the Gigabit Hub Initiative, we have seen many communities realise the benefits that come with smart working and world class connectivity. This vital infrastructure that has helped to promote rural parts of Ireland as destinations for international business, as businesses look to grow and scale to their full potential.   “The Inishowen Innovation Hub will support the creation of employment opportunities for the people of Donegal and the surrounding communities as well as positively impacting the local economy and further closing the digital divide for future generations.” 

John Keaney Chief Executive Officer, Siro, noted:  

“The Inishowen Innovation Hub is proof of the impact and potential of reliable and resilient connectivity to underpin business entrepreneurship and economic development in every part of Ireland. SIRO is pleased to bring its full fibre network to the heart of this hub, and the wider Donegal community, each day to ensure that people can live and work locally; start and develop their businesses and support economic growth throughout the county.”

Anyone starting a new tech business, looking to use disruptive technology to improve their business, or looking for state-of the art co-working facilities can learn more about Inishowen Innovation at www.theii.com.   For more information on Inishowen Innovative, please email annemarie.mclaughlin@theii.com or call 087 458 6097 SIRO is now accepting applications for GigaBitHub applications within our network footprint. For more information, click here.