SIRO turns Skibbereen into a Digital City

Over the last decade many towns and villages in West Cork, and across Ireland, have been hurt badly by the recession and emigration. Young people move to the cities for work and to launch business ideas.

Bright ideas and minds are lost. Not to mention the effect on the social community, the GAA Clubs and life in rural Ireland. But one village is the first to buck the trend. And in more ways than one. This year we saw the two brother rowers from Skibbereen show the world that they can compete and win big in the Olympics. The drive and positivity of the two O’Donovan brothers were seen as a tonic for the nation and rural Ireland. One other tonic which is already up and transforming Skibbereen and its surrounding area is that of SIRO. Around the same time as the start of the Olympics, SIRO came to Skibbereen in the form of The Ludgate Hub: a 1 Gigabit digital hub for entrepreneurs and businesses that is helping to launch a new digital age for West Cork. Just as the brothers took on the world, the workers and business launchers of the Ludgate Hub are now taking on the world. With the fastest broadband speeds in not only the country but on par with that in Tokyo and Hong Kong, Skibbereen is no longer lagging behind. The Ludgate Hub, originally a cinema in 1941, is now a 10,000 square foot digital hub which is creating a new entrepreneurial eco-system in West Cork. There are now over 30 people working hard and fast in the Ludgate Hub. And it is seeking to create 500 jobs in the next 5 years, with a multi-million euro boost to the local economy. But it’s not just about the jobs it brings. The hub is also helping to bring home Irish emgrants such as David Carroll, a Skibbereen native who returned from Marbella with his wife and two children. Having guaranteed broadband speeds that are assured for decades to come is also attracting non-Irish natives from all over the world. Jane and Evan Sims have now moved all the way to Skibbereen from Chicago; and Christopher Mason has come from the Hollywood land of Los Angeles to this new kind of big screen magic: The Ludgate Hub. But it’s not just about the jobs it brings. James Long relocated his company, Our Valiance, from Silicon Valley to Skibbereen for a more balanced lifestyle. All made possible by SIRO connectivity in the Ludgate Hub. As Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO summarised the effects of SIRO on a rural community such as Skibbereen: “The launch of the Ludgate Hub is the moment that life in Skibbereen changes forever as it opens up a new world of possibilities. We have already seen people and businesses relocating to Skibbereen from places like Barcelona and Chicago in anticipation of the launch, which just goes to show how important 100% fibre optic broadband technology is in attracting investment in rural Ireland." [quote author="Sean Atkinson" position="CEO, SIRO" image="1053"] As a Gigabit town, Skibbereen’s young people have the potential to create the next Google or Facebook right here rather than having to move to urban areas to fulfil their ambition.[/quote] Skibbereen is simply a microcosm of the transformative effect that SIRO can have in small towns and on a national basis. SIRO allows all sorts of businesses to compete on a level playing field nationally and internationally. Businesses can develop e-commerce platforms and sell to the world. Students can access international educational opportunities. And farmers can engage with international specialists and learn new methods. The tide is turning. And Skibbereen is rowing for victory. Once again.

Digiweb Launches 1 Gigabit Broadband Service In Partnership With SIRO

SIRO, the open-access wholesale broadband provider delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has announced that Digiweb has become its second retail partner. Digiweb will now launch a number of 100% fibre optic broadband packages for both residential and business customers, with speeds ranging from 150 Megabits per second (Mbps) to one Gigabit per second (Gbps), with pricing from as little as €45 per month. Digiweb’s “Electric Broadband” services will go live in Dundalk, Letterkenny and Drogheda during 2016, before Digiweb increases its availability across the country as SIRO’s rollout continues. SIRO’s differentiator is that it is a 100% fibre-optic internet connection, making it better than any other broadband infrastructure in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity, is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and 10 times as powerful as the market leading service in rural Ireland. The 100% fibre-optic broadband network is already helping to reverse the digital divide in rural areas, with the recent launch of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen illustrating the impact of Gigabit connectivity. The roll out of SIRO will help to boost Ireland’s rural economy facilitating reliable services like remote working and will foster and maintain a strong local startup community. Skibbereen, with its recently launched Ludgate Hub, is one such town that has seen the impact of strong connectivity, which will bring the same level of connectivity as leading international business hubs like Hong Kong and Tokyo. Commenting about the partnership with Digiweb, Sean Atkinson, Chief Executive of SIRO, said: “Our partnership with Digiweb illustrates how SIRO is driving competition in Ireland’s broadband marketplace. Our network is better than the alternatives as it is powered entirely by light, future-proofing the country’s broadband needs for decades. Our ambition is to become the new national telecoms infrastructure. We want to migrate Ireland from legacy copper based networks to 100% fibre-optic networks, this will ensure that people across the country can avail of next generation services and drive the economy forward.” Declan Campbell, Managing Director of Digiweb, added: “This is a different kind of internet and we are delighted to be offering our customers the choice. It will be great to be able to offer our customers SIRO powered broadband packages of up to 1Gbps, enabling us to deliver one of the most powerful broadband services available in Ireland. On a number of levels the introduction of this service will differentiate us from most of the competition. With the quality of service and support Digiweb offer our customer base, this product will set us apart from the market. As one of the first broadband retailers to offer services on the SIRO network, this is the latest milestone as part of our strategy of delivering the best broadband experience in the country.” Customers interested in availing of Digiweb’s SIRO powered products should log onto www.digiweb.ie.

What does Skibbereen have to say about broadband?

We asked the people of Skibbereen what high-speed fibre optic broadband would mean to them, for their lives and businesses and this is what they had to say: [embed]https://youtu.be/StOhZff91VA[/embed]

Stephen O'Connor discusses SIRO's Cavan rollout

Following the announcement that the SIRO rollout has commenced in Cavan town, SIRO Corporate Affairs Director Stephen O'Connor spoke with Northern Sound. Topics of discussion included reversing the digital divide and making regional towns more competitive. Have a listen here.

What does Drogheda have to say about broadband?

We asked the people of Drogheda what high-speed fibre optic broadband would mean to them, for their lives and businesses and this is what they had to say: [embed]https://youtu.be/JVSKo5b4YNk[/embed]

Tralee is now SIRO-powered with 100% fibre optic broadband network

SIRO, the ESB-Vodafone joint venture which is delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has today announced that its Tralee rollout has commenced with over 1,000 premises passed to date. The announcement was made at Ballygarry House Hotel in association with the Tralee Chamber Alliance. Tralee is the first town in Kerry that will receive the service, with Killarney also due to be connected as part of the first phase of SIRO’s rollout to 50 regional towns. SIRO’s Gigabit broadband network is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and ten times as powerful as the market leading service in rural Ireland. The 100% fibre optic service is powered by light, making it different and better than anything other broadband infrastructure in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. It will transform the internet experience of SMEs, remote workers and consumers in Tralee. A high definition film (4GB) takes one hour to download with a 10mbps connection - with SIRO it will take 30 seconds. SIRO is unique in that it exclusively offers a wholesale open access network meaning that it will be available to all telecoms operators in Ireland to resell to their customers. Tralee residents and businesses will be able to purchase broadband powered by SIRO from companies such as Vodafone, enabling them to avail of a future proofed service. Welcoming the rollout of SIRO, Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Kerry County Council said, “Kerry County Council welcomes this event. It is very positive for the County of Kerry that a new competitive player has entered the Kerry broadband market. Kerry County Council will continue to work with all providers to roll out broadband which is essential to the growth of Kerry into the future.” Kieran Ruttledge, CEO of the Tralee Chamber Alliance said, “We welcome the announcement by SIRO that it will deliver a 100% fibre broadband network to Tralee. The existence of leading communications infrastructure is vital to businesses in Tralee, supporting their future growth and development. SIRO in Tralee will mean that businesses here can compete on a level playing field with counterparts not only in Ireland, but internationally and will be vital in attracting further investment to the town.” Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO, added: “SIRO is broadband at its best and our aim is to deliver a Gigabit society in Ireland. The rollout will have as big an impact as rural electrification and will change how people live and work forever. Our network is different and better than any other technology as it is powered entirely by light, future-proofing Kerry’s broadband needs for decades. We will enable Tralee to compete for foreign direct investment, enable local entrepreneurs to create the next Google or Facebook and let the public avail of next generation services in areas like education, health and remote working.”

This is the moment life in Tralee will change forever

Want to hear more about the benefits of our 100% fibre optic network? We're hosting a public town hall event in Ballygarry House, Leebrook Tralee on Friday 15th July at 8am. Come along and see how SIRO can transform how you live and work in Tralee. RSVP at info@sirobroadband.wpengine.com.

What does Tralee have to say about broadband?

We asked the people of Tralee what high-speed fibre optic broadband would mean to them, for their lives and businesses and this is what they had to say: [embed]https://youtu.be/tYfoOF-9WzY?list=PLTYrnmgB8uRWlOVxJIVF2Hhu50cm50uI_[/embed]

Rollout Of SIRO Fibre Optic Broadband Network In Cavan Commences

SIRO, the ESB-Vodafone joint venture which is delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has announced that its full rollout across Cavan town has commenced. Over 1,000 premises in the town have already been passed as part of the rollout, which followed a trial that saw 300 homes in Aughnaskerry and Rocklands estates equipped with the 100% fibre-to-the-building technology. When the rollout is complete, Cavan town will have the same level of connectivity as leading international hubs like Hong Kong and Tokyo. SIRO’s key differentiator is that it is a 100% fibre-optic internet connection, making it different and better than any other broadband infrastructure in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. Construction in Cavan is underway, with Actavo carrying out works on behalf of SIRO. As SIRO is delivered using existing ESB electricity infrastructure, there will be minimal disruption. Consumers, businesses, community groups in Cavan will be able to avail of a one GigaBit (1000 Mbps) internet connection. A high definition film (4GB) takes one hour to download with a 10mbps connection - with SIRO it will take 30 seconds. LightSpeed Broadband, powered by SIRO is available from Vodafone in Cavan now. Other broadband providers will also offer connections in the near future. Commenting on the rollout, Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO, said: “This is the moment life in Cavan changes forever. This is broadband at its best as SIRO is a custom built 100% fibre optic network powered by light, with no copper connection that would slow the service. This will have as big an impact as rural electrification, leaving a last legacy in Cavan. SIRO will help attract investment to the town, enable Cavan businesses to compete online and allow residents to avail of the latest online services.” Declan Brady, a Cavan resident who is connected to the SIRO network, added: “As a keen photographer and Vice Chairman of the Breffni Photography Club, I needed an Internet connection that would enable me to upload hundreds of high quality images online. What used to take hours, now takes seconds. SIRO is literally life transforming. My perception of what is possible with the Internet has completely changed and I know that my home is now future proofed when it comes to broadband.”

What does Wexford have to say about broadband?

We asked the people of Wexford what high-speed fibre optic broadband would mean to them, for their lives and businesses and this is what they had to say: [embed]https://youtu.be/byphzagHkf8?list=PLTYrnmgB8uRWlOVxJIVF2Hhu50cm50uI_[/embed]