Sligo is a SIRO-powered town

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 Sligo will become the first SIRO-powered town in Connaught.

SIRO's plans were presented at an event in Sligo City Hall, in association with Sligo County Council, Sligo Chamber of Commerce and the Sligo Local Enterprise Office on Monday 14^th September. The roll-out of SIRO’s network is currently underway in Sligo and services will be available from broadband retailers later this year. 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. This will mean that consumers, businesses, community groups and service providers such as hospitals and schools will be able to avail of a one GigaBit internet connection. It will transform the internet experience of SMEs, remote workers and consumers in Sligo. A high definition film (4GB) takes one hour to download with a 10mbps connection, with SIRO it will take 30 seconds. Rosaleen O'Grady, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council said; "The provision of this high speed broadband infrastructure for Sligo is wonderful news. It comes hot on the heels of a diverse range of highly positive developments for Sligo in recent times, ranging from the Cannon Ball Run and the World Boat Angling Championships last weekend, the Fleadh a few weeks ago, the work among Sligo businesses to introduce a Business Improvement District or BIDs in cooperation with Sligo County Council. Other recent events such as Yeats Day, Yeats Tread Softly and An Post tour of Sligo and the launch of several wonderful walkways into which the Council has put so much effort and which will enhance our tourism product even further. This infrastructure to add significantly to Sligo’s deserved and growing reputation as a prime location for business, including in the ever growing business sector which requires world-class broadband access. And all of this in a setting that is second to none!" David Kiely, President of Sligo Chamber of Commerce said; "The Chamber has been campaigning for some time for enhanced broadband at both a Town and County level. The introduction of this infrastructure into Sligo is a very significant boost to both existing and future industry and enterprise which will benefit all of the Sligo community. As the Chamber continues to advocate for Sligo as a location for foreign direct and indigenous investment, the availability of this infrastructure will add greatly to Sligo’s overall value proposition." Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO said; "SIRO is delighted that Sligo will be the next location as part of our rollout. Atkinson continued "As a result it will help to bring more investment to Sligo.  Similarly it will lead to people being able to access the latest online services online in areas like education and remote working. This will play a key role for a brighter digital future for Sligo, which we are very proud to be a part of." [quote author="Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO" image="160"]“We will revolutionise people’s experience of broadband with 100% fibre optic network, which delivers fibre broadband directly to the home, without the need for copper, delivering speeds of one GigaBit. This will have a transformational effect on Sligo as anyone starting a business will be able to compete not just at a national level, but at an international level.”[/quote] John Reilly, Head of Sligo Local Enterprise Office also commented; "The roll-out of SIRO in Sligo is particularly welcome news for Sligo businesses. It will position Sligo to fully engage in the ICT economy and will offer many businesses an opportunity to truly transform their current business model. They will be able to take full advantage of the internet and increase their turnover and profitability by selling more in the domestic and overseas markets. Sligo Local Enterprise Office  has been working constructively with SIRO for a number of months in conjunction with other colleagues in Sligo County Council and we are committed to assisting them to the fullest degree possible in rolling out and promoting this new and vital infrastructure.” Register your interest in SIRO here.

SIRO has today announced a pilot programme for a potential second phase of its network rollout, in response to the positive reaction the company has received since its launch in May.

The pilot programme will involve two ‘test’ areas - a small-medium sized town (Skibbereen, Co. Cork) and one rural location in Ireland. Its purpose is to evaluate the potential for a second phase of SIRO’s network roll-out. SIRO will announce the rural location which will form part of the pilot in the coming weeks. The selection of Skibbereen as a test area is on the basis that the town has approximately 1,000 premises and is not currently served by high-speed broadband. This is the type of town that SIRO may target as part of a potential second phase of its rollout into the future. SIRO trials will be conducted in Skibbereen in 2016. Today SIRO also announced that it has also been selected to provide 1GB connectivity to Ludgate Hub an initiative in Skibbereen which aims to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the West Cork region. [quote author="Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO" image="160"]This pilot opportunity will allow us to investigate the potential of whether to proceed with a second phase of our 100% fibre network roll-out to smaller towns nationwide and we look forward to getting feedback from pilot participants in Skibbereen.[/quote] Sean Atkinson CEO of SIRO said; "Skibbereen has a fantastic business ecosystem and SIRO is delighted to provide 1GB fibre connectivity to the Ludgate Hub. It is the ideal test-bed to match some of Ireland’s brightest entrepreneurial minds with the most advanced 100% fibre optic broadband technology in Ireland." SIRO will announce its rural test location as part of this pilot programme in the coming weeks. SIRO is currently rolling out to 50 large regional towns nationwide, with construction work already underway in Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Dundalk unveiled as Ireland’s first SIRO-powered town. Construction underway with 1Gigabit Internet service available from autumn this year.

SIRO, the ESB-Vodafone joint venture which is delivering Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 50 towns nationwide, has today unveiled Dundalk as Ireland’s first SIRO-powered town. The announcement was made at an event in Louth County Museum in Dundalk, in association with Louth County Council, which was officially opened by Minister of State for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD. The roll-out of SIRO’s network is currently underway in Dundalk and services will be available from broadband retailers from autumn this year. We have commenced construction on the network with a trial for over 800 homes in the Coes Road area, going live in September, before the service becomes commercially available in the following weeks. Over the coming months we will connect over 18,500 premises to SIRO, revolutionising the broadband experience in the area to shine brighter. 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. This will mean that consumers, businesses, community groups and service providers such as hospitals and schools will be able to avail of 1 GB internet connection. It will transform the internet experience of SMEs, remote workers and consumers in Dundalk. A high definition film (4GB) takes one hour to download with a 10mbps connection, with SIRO it will take 30 seconds. [gallery ids="268,269"] Commenting at the launch, Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash said; "It's great news that Dundalk has been selected as the first town to receive SIRO’s services. This development will help attract investment, boost competitiveness and help entrepreneurs to set up online businesses. Such high speed broadband should also allow for more flexible working conditions for residents and better services in homes. This development by SIRO complements the Government’s own plans to deliver fibre broadband to more than 1,000 rural communities as part of the National Broadband Plan." Cllr. Maria Doyle, Chairperson of Dundalk Municipal District also commented; "On completion, the 100% fibre optic network will be another string to Dundalk’s bow. We have successfully attracted multinationals to our town in recent years and she hopes that SIRO will assist in us attracting further foreign direct investment as well as allowing indigenous companies and SMEs to grow their businesses. SIRO will be of immense use to educators locally at all levels also." Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO stated; "SIRO will revolutionise the broadband experience in Dundalk town. Our 100% fibre optic network, which delivers fibre broadband directly to the home, without the need for copper, provides speeds of 1 GB. [quote author="Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO" image="160"]“It will mean that students will be able send large files instantly, that families can download a movie in a few seconds and that working from home is a real prospect for employees. It will mean a completely new internet for Dundalk. Dundalk has a vibrant local economy and a growing digital future, which we are delighted to be a part of.”[/quote] Atkinson notes this is a first for Ireland, stating; "SIRO will mean that anyone starting a business in Dundalk will be able to compete not just at a national level, but at an international level."

Cavan town named as one of the first launch towns for ESB and Vodafone’s 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network.

At a meeting hosted in Cavan County Council by Shane P. O’Reilly, Chair of Cavan County Council; and Ger Finn, Chief Executive of Cavan County Council; and attended by Heather Humphries, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today, Vodafone and ESB presented details of their plans to deliver SIRO 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network to Cavan town this autumn. SIRO's 100% fibre-to-the-building technology is completely different to any other broadband service in Ireland as it is an entirely new infrastructure 100% based on optical fibre. The new infrastructure can offer actual broadband speeds of 1000 Mbps, and has potential for even higher speeds as future technologies come online. When the service launches in Cavan, it will put the town on a par for broadband with some of the most advanced cities in the world like Tokyo and Hong Kong. ESB and Vodafone selected Cavan as the first town to trial the technology last year. 300 homes in Aughnaskerry and Rocklands estates had the SIRO 100% fibre-to-the-building technology installed. Participants in the trial are able to experience the most powerful broadband in Ireland. The technology will open up a new world of possibilities for Cavan town residents and businesses. There has been a very positive reaction to the trial to date, with over 80% of participants believing the service is superior to existing services, 50% of participants believing that it will help to make Cavan more attractive as a location for Foreign Direct Investment and over 50% of the trial participants also believe that it will encourage more people in Cavan to set up their own online business. ESB and Vodafone are investing €450 million in SIRO joint venture, which will use ESB’s existing electricity infrastructure to deliver the fibre-to-the-building network across the country. Construction on the open access network, which will be available to all authorised broadband operators in the country, will commence this summer, before becoming available to consumers and businesses in the autumn. This means that other operators can resell the fibre product to their customers, helping to stimulate the development of new services and boosting retail competition in the broadband market for all Irish consumers and businesses. The 100% fibre-to-the-building network will initially reach 500,000 premises in 50 towns in phase one. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys TD said; "Cavan’s selection as one of the launch towns for ESB and Vodafone’s broadband joint venture is a very positive development for the town. This service, when it begins rolling out in autumn, will help to attract investment, boost competitiveness and make it easier for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses online. By having access to broadband at such high speeds, Cavan will be on a par for broadband with some of the world’s leading cities. This investment by Vodafone and ESB is an important complement to the Government’s National Broadband Plan and will further increase the quality of Ireland’s broadband services." Ger Finn, Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, said; "I am delighted that Cavan will be one of the first towns in the country to receive this leading broadband service. It will be an important boost for Cavan’s SMEs and professionals for whom working from home will now become a real option. It will also mean that residents in Cavan will be in a position to access the kinds of services that not been available to date. Finn says he is looking forward to seeing the service roll out later this year and I credit ESB and Vodafone for delivering the service to Cavan." [quote author="Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO" image="160"]We are delighted that Cavan will be one of the first towns in Ireland to experience this revolutionary technology. There has been a fantastic reception from Aughnaskerry and Rocklands residents, who are the first people in Ireland to experience a new type of broadband, which is powered entirely by light.[/quote] Sean Atkinson, CEO of ESB and Vodafone’s Joint Venture Company, said; "Businesses in Cavan town will be on the same playing field as the most cutting edge cities in the world, providing a vital boost for the local economy. The project brings together two leading international companies – ESB and Vodafone – with the technological expertise and infrastructural experience to make available the kind of future-proofed broadband service which will be a crucial element for Ireland’s future competitiveness. Cavan and the forty nine other towns involved in the first phase will have access to the most powerful broadband in the country, making it more attractive for companies to consider investing in Ireland and helping to develop a new generation of online entrepreneurs in Cavan and beyond.”