SIRO Announce Duleek And Kells As Latest Meath Towns To Benefit From 100% Fibre Broadband

Today we are proud to announce that homes and businesses in both Duleek and Kells can now avail of its 100% fibre broadband. Our fibre broadband network will bring high-speed, future-proofed connectivity to over 2,500 homes and businesses across Duleek and Kells. The initial build works in Kells commenced in April 2022 and in Duleek in August 2022 with works completed in both towns at the end of May.

What areas in Kells can get SIRO?

Areas in Kells which will benefit from SIRO’s roll out include (but are not limited to): Cherryhill, Headfort, Bective, Taylor Hall, Church Street and Lane, Balrath Wood, Suffolk Street, The Glebe and more.

What areas in Duleek can get SIRO?

Areas in Duleek which will benefit from SIRO’s roll out include (but are not limited to): Ashbourne Road, Main Street, Church Lane, Riverview, Ashvale Court, Larrix Street, Balsaran Close, Bathe Abbey, Cill Carban and more. SIRO is a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone delivering full fibre broadband to towns and cities across Ireland. Our network uses the existing ESB electricity network to bring connectivity to the heart of homes and businesses. Our network is available in 130 towns across Ireland and almost 500,000 premises. We are a wholesaler broadband provider which means that consumers and businesses can order their full fibre broadband from one of our twenty retail partners, including Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Pure Telecom and Fastcom.

Where is SIRO already available in Meath?

SIRO has already connected over 20,000 premises across 11 Meath towns including: Ashbourne, Dunboyne, Enfield, Mornington, Rathoath, Trim, Bettystown, Dunshaughlin, Laytown, Navan and Stamullen. To date, almost 500,000 premises can access SIRO’s reliable network. Commenting on the announcement, SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney said:

“Duleek and Kells are the latest towns in Meath to benefit from SIRO’s high-speed connectivity. As we continue rolling out our fibre broadband network across Meath towns, we have already seen the impact it has had on developing sustainable local communities. “Having access to a stable, future-proofed connection ensures homes and businesses can continue to live and work however they choose, and wherever they choose, without being dependent on larger towns and cities for opportunities. At SIRO, we aim to provide access to high-speed connectivity to both smaller and larger towns across the country, to develop digital societies and keep Ireland’s economy thriving. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact that SIRO’s full fibre broadband can have on these towns in the months and years to come, as they continue to grow, develop supported by SIRO’s network.

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This week, we are delighted to announce we are rolling out a full fibre broadband network to three towns across County Offaly in 2023. This stage of our network roll-out and significant investment in the county, was announced as part of a formal presentation on Monday, to Offaly County Councillors and Council officials at a meeting in Clara. Our build works are underway in Tullamore where 600 premises can already access SIRO fibre broadband.

Where is SIRO rolling out in Offaly?

The roll out will include 9,000 homes and businesses across Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr, as part of our full fibre broadband roll out. Build works are already commenced in Edenderry also, with network roll-out in Birr expected to start late 2023 and into 2024. The full fibre roll out in Tullamore will cover 4,500 premises, whereas Edenderry will cover 2,400 premises and Birr will cover 2,300 premises.

What areas in Tullamore will SIRO cover?

Areas within Tullamore that will be covered under our full fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): Oakfield, Limefield, Chancery Park Road, Clonminch Wood, Hophill, Charleville Road, Marian Place, Carraig Cluain, Eiscier End Road, Clontarf Road, Thornsberry Estate, O’Molloy Street.

What areas in Edenderry will SIRO cover?

Areas within Edenderry that will be covered under SIRO’s full fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): The Sycamores, The Park, Killane Heights, Castleview Park, Kileden Lawn, Rectory Meadows, Assumption Road, Gilroy Avenue, Woodfield, Glenn na Carraige, Carrickhall Lane, Coneyburrow.

What areas in Birr will SIRO cover?

Areas within Birr that will be covered under SIRO’s full fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): Meadowville, Meadow Brook, John’s Place, Connaught Street, Sandymount View, Compton Row, Hollypark Drive, High Street, Main Street, Demesne View, Fairview, Burke’s Hill, Woodlane. Our roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Offaly is part of the company’s ongoing network expansion, targeting 770,000 premises in 154 towns and cities across Ireland.  To date, over 490,000 premises nationally in 130 towns and cities can access SIRO’s network. Our full fibre network offers speeds of up to 2 gigabit per second for homes, and up to 10 gigabits for enterprise connections.

Who is SIRO?

SIRO is a joint venture company between ESB and Vodafone, founded in 2015, focused on delivering full fibre broadband to Ireland’s towns and cities. SIRO’s fibre broadband network is built on the ESB electricity infrastructure, trusted for its reliability and resilience. Overall, the company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.   Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO, John Keaney, said:

“SIRO’s announcement of the addition of three Offaly towns to our broadband network means that these key regional towns can now experience the transformative effect that SIRO’s full fibre broadband can have on a community. “It means that these places instantly become a more attractive place to do business, work flexibly, and live as they become more connected with a high quality, fibre broadband. “The need for reliable, high quality, fibre connectivity grows each day as businesses operate using cloud technology, employees host meetings virtually, and more businesses use contactless and card payment methods each day. Up to access to fast and reliable broadband connectivity can be a pain point for business and consumers when using the latest technologies. However, full fibre broadband reduces these pain points.”

Offaly County Council CEO Anna Marie Delaney, welcoming SIRO’s rollout in County Offaly, noted:

“Connectivity is at the heart of how we live today. High quality broadband is central to how individuals, communities and businesses now communicate, learn or work each day. Having access to SIRO’s full fibre network within the county will support economic development, investment into the county and job creation. “SIRO’s fibre broadband network will be an important addition for the county’s long-term growth and development and align with the Council broader economic growth strategy. It will sustain employment locally but also underpin the creation of the jobs of the future, particularly as digital technologies become ever more critical to so many business sectors based in Offaly”.

SIRO is a wholesaler, and its broadband service is available to order from the following retailers in Offaly: Vodafone, Sky, Airwire, Pure, Digiweb, Fastcom, and Viatel, with more becoming available as the roll-out progresses. [mailchimp_modal button-text="Register Your Interest" title="Sign Up Form" position="mid"]

This week, we have announced we are bringing our network to Thurles, Nenagh and Tipperary as part of our ongoing roll out across County Tipperary.

When will SIRO connect Tipperary?

In Thurles and Nenagh, we will connect over 7,000 premises to high quality fibre broadband. The roll out in Thurles is on track to be completed during Q4 2023, with Nenagh following thereafter. This build will also target 2,250 premises in Tipperary town for late 2023/early 2024. The addition of Thurles, Nenagh and Tipperary town to the SIRO network will add to our existing significant footprint in the county.

Is SIRO already available in Tipperary?

Our full fibre broadband network is already available in the towns of Clonmel, Cashel and Roscrea. However, additional build works will also take place in Cashel to reach further premises in the town. To date, we have invested over €20 million in bringing world-class connectivity to Tipperary towns. Once the additional towns are connected, our full fibre broadband network will be available to over 50,000 Tipperary residents. [caption id="attachment_8255" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Pictured (L-R) SIRO Director of Corporate Affairs Amanda Glancy, Tipperary County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr. Roger Kennedy, Tipperary County Council CEO Joe McGrath and SIRO Director of Build Denis Cambridge.[/caption] The announcement on Thurles, Nenagh and Tipperary town was made by senior SIRO management at a Presentation to the Elected Members of Tipperary County Council, which took place in the Civic Offices in Clonmel. The presentation was attended by Councillor Roger Kennedy, Cathaoirleach and Joe McGrath, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council. Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO, John Keaney said:

“SIRO’s ongoing roll out in County Tipperary demonstrates our commitment to delivering high quality, fast, resilient and future proofed fibre broadband. Thurles is now SIRO’s fourth town in Tipperary to receive our full fibre connection, making the town a more attractive place to invest in, work, and live in. “Overall, once build works are complete SIRO’s network will be available in six Tipperary towns. Thurles, Nenagh and Tipperary town as well as all other SIRO towns in Tipperary, will have access to speeds of up 2 Gigabit for homes and up to 10 Gigabits for enterprise connections.”

[caption id="attachment_8254" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Pictured SIRO and Tipperary County Council representatives.[/caption] Welcoming SIRO, Councillor Roger Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council said,

“We are delighted to see the further expansion of SIRO’s full fibre broadband network across a number of towns in County Tipperary. As the digital economy grows, we must ensure that its opportunities and benefits are felt in every town, village and outlying rural area in our county. We need a digital infrastructure that supports business transformation and connected communities and one that provides nationwide coverage with sufficient capacity to ensure that data can flow at the volume, speed and reliability required to meet the demands of modern life.”

Welcoming SIRO’s announcement, Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council said,

“The expansion of SIRO’s Full Fibre broadband network is welcome news for the County. We believe that, by promoting the digital agenda through a dynamic workforce and enhanced infrastructure, we can secure sustainable economic growth and prosperity into the future. “Secure, high quality, universal digital connectivity is central to realising economic, social and environmental opportunities. This includes enabling greater remote working; new job opportunities; new markets and customers for businesses; more efficient and accessible public services; more flexible working; contributing to the reinvigoration of our towns and villages. Digital technologies can also have an important role to play in reducing energy and resource use and enabling decarbonisation.”

Who can I purchase SIRO broadband from in Tipperary?

SIRO is a wholesaler full fibre broadband operator, meaning its broadband services can be ordered directly from the following retailers in County Tipperary: Sky, Vodafone, Digiweb, Blacknight, Pure Telecom, Fastcom Pure Telecom and Viatel. [mailchimp_modal button-text="Register Your Interest" title="Sign Up Form" position="mid"]

Today we are delighted to announce we will be expanding our network to Leitrim during 2023. Carrick-on-Shannon is the latest town to benefit from our full fibre network. The roll out will include over 1,800 homes and businesses in Carrick-on-Shannon as part of our full fibre broadband roll out to Leitrim. The build works commenced in April of this year, with the rollout of the area expected to complete in Q4 2023. [caption id="attachment_8218" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SIRO representatives pictured with members of Carrick on Shannon Town Committee and Leitrim County Council officials.[/caption]

Where is SIRO rolling out to in Carrick-on-Shannon?

Areas within Carrick-on-Shannon that will be covered under our 100% fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): Oaklands Manor, Cara Court, Autumn View, Summerhill Grove, Glenpatrick, Shannon View, Shannon Lodge, Cnoc na Sí, Marina Road, Elysian Meadows, Ath na Rí, Maigh Glas. The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Carrick on Shannon is part of our ongoing network expansion, targeting 770,000 premises in 154 towns and cities across Ireland. To date, over 490,000 premises in 126 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. [caption id="attachment_8219" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Pictured President of Carrick on Shannon Chamber of Commerce Colm McGrath and SIRO Director of Corporate Affairs Amanda Glancy.[/caption]

Who can I order SIRO Broadband with?

Homes and businesses can order SIRO 100% fibre broadband from our network of retailers, including Vodafone, Airwire, Sky, Pure Telecom, Digiweb, Viatel, Blacknight, Fastcom and Telcom. SIRO 100% fibre is available to both homes and businesses within Carrick-on-Shannon, with speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second available for homes in the area, and up to 10 gigabits for enterprise connections. SIRO, founded back in 2015, is a joint venture company between ESB and Vodafone, focused on delivering full fibre broadband to Ireland’s towns and cities. SIRO’s fibre broadband network is built on the ESB electricity infrastructure, trusted for its reliability and resilience. Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO, John Keaney, said:

“Today’s announcement for Carrick-on-Shannon is part of SIRO’s wider efforts to bring resilient, scalable, fibre broadband to towns across Ireland. We are pleased to be expanding our network to reach Leitrim’s County town as part of our ongoing network expansion. “At SIRO, we understand both the need and huge demand for fast and high-quality broadband for homes and businesses today. Having access to reliable connectivity enables Carrick-on-Shannon to become a more attractive place to live and work.” “With SIRO’s broadband network available in Carrick-on Shannon, residents and businesses will have access to one of Europe’s most advanced and future proofed networks. It will   facilitate hybrid working for employees, reducing the need for unsustainable commutes to larger towns and cities. “For employers they can use cloud and digital technologies for the smooth running of their company networks. Local businesses will be able to thrive as faster and seamless online payments and orders, such as in the hospitality sector, can be smoothly facilitated.”

Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn, stated:

“I am delighted to see this announcement today that SIRO are rolling out Fibre Broadband in Carrick on Shannon ensuring a 100% fibre connection to over 1800 homes and businesses in the area. The local authority welcome the SIRO installation as it will have significant economic benefits for the area supporting faster and seamless connectivity as well as giving confidence to businesses in their use of digital technologies and supporting their company networks and hybrid working opportunities.”

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County Cork is about to experience a major upgrade to its broadband infrastructure as we aim to bring the SIRO 100% fibre broadband network to eight more towns across the region.

What towns are SIRO rolling out to in County Cork?

The SIRO fibre rollout across County Cork began in 2017, connecting over 1,500 homes and business across Skibbereen to Gigabit broadband for the first time. Since then, the SIRO fibre broadband network in Cork has grown significantly. Over 60,000 homes and businesses across the county can now connect to Ireland's most advanced broadband network, meaning over 162,000 people can now do life different with SIRO 100% fibre broadband. This year, alone, SIRO will be available to an additional 20,000 premises across Cork City and eight regional towns. SIRO is already available in towns such as Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Mallow, Little Island and Skibbereen. In addition, the SIRO network will expand to six new town as part of our network expansion: Bandon, Cobh, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Kinsale, Passage West and Youghal, representing an additional investment of €25 million, bringing SIRO's total network investment in the county to over €125 million.

SIRO Network Launch Event

On the 24th March as part a launch event and presentation made by SIRO CEO John Keaney to the Minister of Finance, Micheal McGrath T.D., Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins, Elected Members of Cork County Council and Chief Executive, Tim Lucey, we announced that six of the eight new towns in Cork are the priority for 2023, while our rollout to the other Cork towns will continue over the coming years. Additional areas will be announced in 2024. Welcoming SIRO’s announcement, Minister for Finance, Micheal McGrath TD, said,

“This expansion of SIRO’s fibre broadband network is very welcome news for Cork County. Fibre broadband makes remote working a real possibility and it helps to breathe life back into our towns. It is also great news for businesses and farmers in particular who are now able to conduct more of their business online. Having a high-quality broadband connection provides opportunities for people to start up a new business and means that location is no longer a barrier for many start-ups. Creating a fully connected Ireland is a key priority for Government and it is only possible through partnership between public and private investment working together.”

Welcoming SIRO, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins said,

“We are delighted to see the further expansion of the SIRO fibre broadband network in Cork County. Access to reliable high-quality broadband is essential for our business community as well as our residents. It will unlock further opportunities for economic development in Cork towns and will support remote working for those wishing to reduce their commute.”

Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO John Keaney noted:

“Today’s announcement is good news for towns across Cork many of whom have had to endure poor connectivity until now. The arrival of SIRO’s full fibre broadband to towns across Cork will bring them new opportunities and safeguard their future. Having access to SIRO’s reliable and resilient broadband, with speeds of up to 2 Gigabits for homes and up to 10 Gigabit for businesses, ensure people and communities can live and work locally, run their businesses and stay connected with ease. Demand for high quality broadband across Cork remains very strong. SIRO is responding to that demand with more 60,000 premises across Cork city and towns who can already avail of our broadband network. SIRO’s work in 2023 will expand our footprint in Cork this year even further. And beyond that, we are already looking ahead to more areas in Cork”.

SIRO 100% fibre broadband is already available to over 60,000 homes and businesses across County Cork from leading services providers such as Digiweb, Sky, Viatel and Vodafone. As SIRO is a Fibre-to-the-Home network, deployed across the ESB's existing infrastructure, you are ensured a fast, reliable and sustainable network. To find out if your home or business can connect to SIRO, 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"]

Most people would think that once you have a broadband connection installed in your home, that that’s all there is to it.   However, once you have your fibre broadband connection there can be a little extra effort required by each homeowner to ensure that their Wi-Fi is optimised and that they can achieve the best service and speeds.   At its’ most basic there are five easy ways to ensure you get the most out of your internet connection.

1. Check Your Router Position

Did you know that the position and placement of a router or modem in your home can affect its speed and performance?   For example, having your router close to a window, or blocked by items in a corner (books, ornaments, photo frames etc.) will impact the speeds you’ll achieve.   Having your router close to a radio, microwave, or baby monitor may affect your broadband speeds.   Naturally, the closer you are to your router, the faster your speeds will be. You should keep your router elevated, and in a position where it can reach most devices. This will reduce the risk of your broadband speed being affected.  

2. Update Your Router or Modem

You may be thinking, what’s the difference between a router and a modem?  A router communicates between your devices and the internet to bring your devices on net. If you do not have many devices, you will not need a router. It’s worth considering though, as it may affect your broadband speeds if you have a variety of devices on your network.    A modem is the box that connects you to your ISP (Internet Service Provider), and is typically used for wireless connections, broadcasting signals to devices across the homes.   For SIRO customers, the modem will be connected to the ONT (Optical Network Terminal). The latter connects the fibre that has been wired to the outside of your house, to your modem. The ONT is a small white plastic box that will be placed on your internal wall.  If you are experiencing ongoing drops in your internet connection, you may need to consider contacting your retailer for an updated modem or consider establishing a home network using a cable router.  

3. Consider Using Ethernet Connections

While SIRO’s fibre broadband (as well as cable, and DSL offerings) can be used wirelessly, it’s worth considering utilising its wired capabilities to connect your laptop, PC or console.   The benefits of using an Ethernet connection include:  

• Speed (faster downloads, uploads and data transfers.) 
• Lower Latency (this means improved game experience.) 
• Energy Efficiency (on average, ethernet cables are the most energy efficient for data-transferring.)  
• Security (Your data is more secured using a wired, cable connection.)  

While the newest ethernet cables available are CAT8 and can transfer the most amount of data in a short amount of time, CAT6 cables are the standard for home and office connections and are backwards compatible with CAT5e and CAT5 cables.  

4. Password Protect and Safeguard Your Wi-Fi

This might seem obvious, but the more users on your network, the less bandwidth available for those who need it! By setting up a strong password for your wi-fi, you can make sure that your network is secure, and ward off unnecessarily connected devices (including those who might be piggybacking on your connection).   Alternatively, you can track what devices are being used on your network by searching their MAC (Media Access Control) address.  A MAC address is the physical address of a device and is visible when connected to a private or public network.   By viewing the MAC addresses on your network, you may be able to weed out potential Wi-Fi thieves!   A full guide on MAC addresses is available here.  

5. Switch to Fibre

It may sound obvious, but have you tried switching to fibre? Fibre broadband offers the best broadband speeds, reliability, and resilience available in Ireland today. Copper lines, once the mainstay of connectivity in Ireland, is now an outdated technology that is rapidly being overtaken by fibre broadband, as network rollouts like SIRO’s gathers pace across Ireland.   SIRO’s 100% Fibre broadband is the fastest available on the market and has a range of 20 retailers offering our services across 470,000 homes, with plans to connect 770,000 by 2026.   SIRO’s fibre broadband has countless benefits: 

• Future-proofed, once it’s installed, it requires minimal equipment to upgrade for future demand. 

• Resilient, as it’s built on the ESB network, our fibre broadband is much more resistant to extreme weather events. 
• Energy Efficient, as it has 60% lower energy usage and 80% less maintenance required for FTTH versus copper networks, allowing users to also play their part in protecting our planet. 

For homes, speeds of up to 2 gigabits are available, while enterprises can reach speeds of up to 10 gigabits. SIRO’s fibre network has the potential to reach speeds of up to 25 gigabit per second to meet demand in the years ahead.  [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode Today" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

Broadband is an essential part of our everyday lives. It allows us to connect with friends, to work from home and to relax with our smart devices. With so much information out there about broadband, it can be confusing to know which internet connection is best for your needs. You might be thinking what kind of broadband can I get? Fibre broadband in Ireland has been around since 2015. Read on to learn five facts about fibre you may not have known.

1 The first national 100% fibre broadband network

The first 100% fibre to the home broadband network in Ireland was launched by SIRO back in 2015. SIRO, in a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, had the aim of delivering the first fibre to the home network in Ireland, disrupting the then copper dominated broadband market.

2. Growth of fibre network reach across Ireland

Have you ever wondered; can I get fibre broadband where I live? SIRO is now live in more than 90 towns and counting, with an aim to connect 154 towns by 2026, so SIRO’s network footprint may already or soon be available for your home or business soon. As well as this, the fibre broadband market share is growing, with Comreg’s Q3 2022 report showing there were 463k FTTP subscriptions, compared to just 340k FTTP subscriptions in Q3 2021.

3. Speed capabilities

Did you know SIRO was one of the first broadband networks in Europe to fully upgrade to XGS-PON technology, unlocking speeds of up to 10 Gigabits per second. One of the main benefits of having fibre broadband is being able to connect as many devices as you need at a time, without delays or lags. This is ideal for working from home, or to facilitate the day to day running of a business… You will no longer be asking yourself why is my broadband so slow?

4. Lowest latency on the market

Latency measures the length of time it takes to transfer data from one source to another. SIRO’s fibre broadband boasts some of the lowest latency on the market, with a ping of 20 milliseconds. This makes it perfect for online gaming, streaming in 4k and 8k, and video calls. Low latency allows you to stay connected and to download files and applications quickly.

5. Weather resistant broadband

Can weather affect fibre optic broadband? Many are under the assumption that their broadband can be affected by stormy weather. Thankfully, this isn’t a worry for those who have a SIRO fibre broadband connection. Fibre is much more weather proofed than other broadband types on the market. Fibre makes use of light to transmit data contrary to copper, which is more vulnerable to storms and other climate impacts. Fibre in Ireland is here to stay. SIRO is rolling out the next generation of broadband in Ireland across 154 towns. It’s resiliency, speeds and reliability are unmatched. With the above in mind, the next step is to find out if SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband is available to your home or business. [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode Today" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

Recent data highlights that 95% of Irish children aged 8-12 own their own smart device. This research, conducted by the charity CyberSafeKids, also notes how 87% of children have their own social media account. Using devices and tapping into the wealth of resources which access to online platforms can provide can be hugely positive for kids. Helping with their schoolwork, staying connected to friends, entertainment and recreational tools are all the positives that technology brings. However, as much as we want children to be able to avail of the opportunities for learning and enjoyment that technology can deliver, parents, educators and society also have a responsibility to help them stay safe online.

Studies by SafeWise show that more than 58% of parents say their child’s internet behaviours are a cause of concern for them.

Naturally, parents have concerns. Rather than be an anxious but passive parent, a quick crash course in some basic and easy to implement tools, can be effective in keeping our kids safer online.

Passwords

Having a secure password is key for protecting your child’s information and accounts. Implementing a two-factor authentication , whereby users must first input their username and password, and subsequently enter a passcode they receive via text or email is just one of the ways you can create a barrier to hackers and threats. Many of the commonly used social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook, now allow the option to create a two-factor authentication. Another way of reducing the risk of someone gaining access to your account is by creating both a memorable and complex password. Some things to consider when creating passwords would be to make sure you choose something with both uppercase and lowercase letters, containing both symbols and numbers too if possible. Ideally, passwords should also be changed frequently, and should be different across social media accounts.

Managing access

Setting some ground rules on internet use and informing them of which sites are suitable to use can help children be more actively aware of their online behaviours. An approach you could also take would be to limit access to certain websites by using blockers. This way, they can be prevented from clicking onto any sites which might not be age appropriate or safe. In the UK, a Pew Research Centre survey noted that 39% of parents report using parental controls for blocking, filtering, or monitoring their teen’s online activities. Another way of limiting access is having an agreement on how long your child can use their smart device for a day or how long they can spend on a certain social network. Apple for instance has a setting which means you can set limits on the amount of time you are allowed to spend on certain apps in a day. Data from the Pew Research Centre also found that just over half of the parents surveyed restrict the amount of time or number of times their child goes online in a day.

Social Media

Most kids and teens have at least one social media platform installed onto their smart device. UK stats show that 48% of kids (aged 4-18) use TikTok, followed by 41% using Facebook, and 28% using Snapchat. Before your kids start using any social media platform, it is important to give them basic watchouts such as:

• Not to accept friend requests from strangers.
• To disable precise location settings
• To not share personal information online
• To communicate to an adult any problems or issue they experience online

While the idea of your kids navigating social media and the internet might fill every parent just starting this stage of their children’s life might fill them with dread. Sticking your head in the sand is not an option. Instead, taking a more proactive and involved approach educating our kids (and parents too), forearming them to potential risks and using measures to prevent online threats is a sensible approach to keep both parents and their children happy. [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, the fibre broadband network operator, has today announced the roll out of its broadband network in Roscommon town. The build works commenced in autumn last year. The company has confirmed that significant progress has already made in its delivery of the new network, with almost 70% of the project now complete. The company is investing €3 million in bringing Ireland’s most advanced broadband network to the town.  

When is SIRO coming to Roscommon?

SIRO is rolling out its high speed, reliable fibre broadband network to 2,350 homes and businesses in the town overall.  Build works for a majority of the premises targeted, (1,600 premises), are already completed and the new broadband service is now available to order. The remaining 750 premises in the town are expected to be completed during Spring 2023. 

Where is SIRO rolling out to in Roscommon Town?

Areas within Roscommon set to benefit from the roll out include Main Street, Riverdale, Lanesborough Street, Saint Ciaran’s Park, Pine View, Castle Street, Sunny Side House, Cherry Drive, Castle Apartments, Knights Court, Celtic Avenue, Cloonbrackna, Brookvale Avenue, and Lús Leana.  Homes and businesses can now order SIRO’s fibre broadband from its network of retailers, including Vodafone, Sky, Airwire, Pure Telecom, Digiweb, Fastcom and Viatel.  SIRO’s full fibre network is available to both homes and businesses within Roscommon town, with speeds of up to 2 gigabit per second available for homes, and up to 10 gigabits for enterprise connections. 

What is SIRO broadband? 

SIRO is a joint venture company between ESB and Vodafone, founded in 2015, focused on delivering full fibre broadband to Ireland’s towns and cities. SIRO’s fibre broadband network is built on the ESB electricity infrastructure, trusted for its reliability and resilience. Overall, the company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland. 

How Broadband Supports A Community

Commenting on the announcement, SIRO Chief Executive Officer, John Keaney, said:  

“SIRO has one of the most advanced fibre broadband networks in Europe, so we are really pleased to be bringing this network to Roscommon town.  “Individuals and businesses are all too aware of the value of a reliable and resilient broadband connection. It allows them to stay connected at home or when running their businesses, removing what can be a major pain point in daily life if their existing broadband is poor.  “Fibre broadband can have a transformative effect on regional towns. By providing a scalable, future-proofed and sustainable fibre network, it re-enforces Roscommon town’s attractiveness as a place to live, work and do business,” added Mr. Keaney.    

Shane Tiernan Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council stated:  

 “This multi-million-euro investment and delivery of full fibre broadband by SIRO in Roscommon town is to be congratulated and welcomed. High speed reliable digital connectivity is an essential requirement to allow Roscommon town to flourish commercially, economically and socially.    “The availability of SIRO’s full fibre broadband infrastructure greatly supports Roscommon County Council’s ambition for the development of an innovative collaborative digital society and economy in Roscommon over the coming years. This advancement by SIRO will undoubtedly have a very positive impact in supporting our constant drive for Roscommon to be a great place to live, work, invest in and visit”, added Mr. Tiernan.  

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With Christmas just days away, there’s still time to get last minute gifts for the techie in your life. The range and price points of tech gifts now available means that you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune either! Tech gifts aren’t just for Christmas but can deliver convenience, more connected and smarter living, for the user long after the holidays have ended, whether in the home, at work, for entertainment or leisure. Want to make 2023 a year of smarter living? Read below to find out the top tech gadgets for a smarter you.

Gift Ideas for a Smart Home

We all know that to have a smart home, first, you need a reliable broadband connection. That’s where SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband is the perfect choice for your home as it can support multiple devices at once without any lags in connection. A smart device which has now become a household name is the Amazon Alexa. The Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker is another popular choice. These smart devices act as a personal assistant. You ask for what you want; and it listens and does. The Amazon Echo can play music or podcasts, make to-do-lists, and ask for any information like the current traffic or weather conditions. In research conducted by Amárach on behalf of SIRO, 49% of Irish homes surveyed had a virtual assistant like the Echo. The Google Nest Hub smart display offers a more visual digital experience. This display can help you organise your calendar, to watch your favourite shows or videos, and best of all to control any other home smart devices that are compatible, at the touch of a button.

Gifts To Enhance Sleep and Wellness

Sleep is now recognised as the new human superpower, yet most of us still don’t get enough of it. The Philips Smart Sleep Lamp has both a dimming light, for helping you wind down, and a wake-up light to wake you up gradually with a sunrise simulation. The device also has a radio and reading lamp built in, so you can switch off before heading to sleep and practice good sleep hygiene. Smart watches are a great way of staying connected online and tracking your fitness on the go. The Samsung Galaxy Watch tracks your step count, health, sleep and does all the usual things you can do on your phone, but through your watch. Similarly, the Apple Watch allows you to do all of the above. The Fitbit fitness tracker watches are another great investment to consider if you are into your fitness or looking to get in better shape in 2023.

Improve Your Organisation with Technology

Constantly losing your keys or phone? Wishing there was a way to keep track? Then look no further than “The Tile” and Apple’s “AirTag.” These small, convenient tracking devices have been specifically developed for this purpose. ‘The Tile’ by Tile Inc. is a device that can be put onto any item you’d like to keep track of. It uses Bluetooth and a built-in GPS system to track your items, so you won’t have to worry about where your go-to belongings are again. Before living with multiple devices became the norm, many of us manually kept track of important dates, shopping lists or to do lists by simply writing them down. Today, technology offers a digital solution to the written list. With digital notepads like the ‘reMarkable notepad’ by reMarkable or the ‘Rocketbook Fusion Smart Reusable notepad’ by Rocketbook providing a facility for the to do list of old. The Rocketbook’s notepad has a reusable pen and paper notebook which connects to the cloud using your mobile device. You can simply remove the writing using water and cloth. One of the many benefits of having a reusable notebook is the sustainability aspect, as you’re not wasting any paper.

Smart Home Entertainment with SIRO 100% Fibre Broadband

Today, the average home has at least one smart TV. Smart TVs, like the Sky Glass or the Samsung Smart TV, are ideal for upgrading your experience when watching shows or movies at home. Smart TVs enable you to connect to the internet, browse online, or stream anything at the touch of a button. Additionally, they have great sound and quality visual displays for an enhanced experience. Having a reliable Wi-Fi connection is essential for Smart TVs to function. With online gaming here to stay. Consoles and PCs are regular appearances on Christmas lists. Handheld consoles like the SteamDeck or the Nintendo Switch allow for portable, quality gaming on the go. Getting the Connectivity Foundations Right Smart devices are often the presents under the tree most appreciated on Christmas morning, but it’s important not to spoil the moment because your home connectivity doesn’t measure up. Having reliable and resilient broadband is the foundation to underpinning smart home devices. Otherwise, you risk having the tech gadgets without the connectivity to support them. SIRO’s full fibre broadband network offers speeds of up to 2 Gigabits, meaning you never have to worry that your internet connection can’t cope with all these new tech gadgets being switched on Christmas morning. To find out if you have access to SIRO’s 100% reliable broadband search your Eircode today.

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