Bringing Gigabit Connectivity to Galway’s Start-Up Community

Last week SIRO and Vodafone jointly announced Galway’s PorterShed as our 17th digital hub as part of our Gigabit Hub Initiative. The initiative, first launched in 2017, offers free 1 Gigabit broadband connectivity to digital hubs and coworking facilities around the country. Its’ purpose is to support a digital enabled transformation across Irish towns, fostering new enterprises, creating jobs and delivering a social and economic dividend to local communities. In recent years technological developments have moved at pace, bolstered by the roll-out of high-speed broadband networks like SIRO’s to underpin these innovations, it has meant seamless remote working became possible. However, while putting these tools – access to high-speed broadband networks and technology such as video calling apps like Microsoft Teams or Zoom – at our fingertips should logically have meant that we all embraced the ‘work from anywhere’ way of life. In truth, work from anywhere only became a mass movement when COVID-necessitated it over the last two years. In terms of hubs, back in 2017 when the Vodafone-SIRO Gigabit Hub Initiative began, the idea of hubs was still in its infancy, those that existed were niche and geographically quiet spread out. Fast forward to 2022, COVID and the shift to remote working has changed both appreciation and demand for co-working and remote working facilities right across Ireland. While not every town has a hub, just yet, increasing numbers do. They are also a growing feature of neighbourhoods within our city suburbs. Describing hubs as merely co-working spaces, creates the impression of facilities for hot-desking only, a disservice to their full offering. Most are set up to provide space for start-ups and small enterprises to have access to best-in-class facilities and shared services such as IT, admin support, staff canteen or break out spaces, which small businesses typically might struggle to afford. Beyond the physical facilities, hubs also offer opportunities for businesses to collaborate, share ideas and knowledge, and collectively problem solve. They are critical also for the social side of working life, providing outlets for users to meet and engage with others – something many employees working from home yearned a lot during various lockdowns.

“Community-based initiatives like The PorterShed and others are playing a vital role in shaping Ireland’s new enterprise eco-systems”

SIRO, as an Irish company, rolling out a 100% fibre broadband network to 154 towns and cities, understands and has seen first-hand the transformative impact of high speed, fibre broadband can bring to communities and towns across Ireland. We are invested in ensuring greater access for homes and businesses to reliable and future proofed broadband. Giving back something meaningful to the towns our network expands to via the Gigabit Hub Initiative is something of which we are hugely proud. The opportunity to provide connectivity, with Vodafone, to Galway’s PorterShed fully aligns with our stated objectives of supporting local business. The PorterShed is a coworking and collaborative space for technology focused innovation driven enterprises. Its’ focus is to build, grow, scale, and innovate the Galway Tech ecosystem. Since its original launch five years ago it has had a significant impact. The PorterShed has facilitated the creation of over 800 jobs in Galway and attracted an inward investment of €35 million. A namecheck of the companies who currently or have used the Hub over its’ lifetime underlines its’ success story. Companies such as Diligent Software, Rent the Runway, Frankli, Genesys, Globalisation Partners to name but a few.  

Just as SIRO has matured as a business, with over 420,000 premises, and growing, across Ireland with access to our Gigabit fibre broadband, the PorterShed has equally grown and set its’ sights on further ambitious targets for incubating Galway’s tech start up scene.

  2022 will see a significant expansion in the PorterShed footprint. It will add an additional 200 desks, bringing its total capacity to 330 desks overall. The PorterShed will also move from its existing location near Eyre Square to two new premises – at Bowling Green and the former Connacht Tribune offices on Market Street – both located in the Galway City Innovation District. The PorterShed is also targeting the creation of an additional 1,700 jobs by its member companies as part this new phase of its development.   PorterShed joining the SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hubs will see both new premises receiving a high-quality Gigabit fibre broadband, ensuring that its member companies have fast and reliable broadband. This connectivity, whilst enhancing the attractiveness of the PorterShed, also ensures it has future proofed broadband capable of accommodating speeds of up to 10 Gigabits in the years ahead. Connectivity, delivered through future proofed fibre broadband, is the great leveller for businesses and communities across Ireland. For the first time in Ireland’s history, people can now, once they can access a high-speed broadband network, live, work or run their business from where they want to vs. having to locate to city centre areas where the best services and infrastructure have traditionally been concentrated. Community-based initiatives like The PorterShed and others are playing a vital role in shaping Ireland’s new enterprise eco-systems, with SIRO pleased to be able to play our part in this transformation.

SIRO, the joint venture between ESB and Vodafone and wholesale operator have today announced that over 27,000 homes and businesses can now avail of fibre to the home broadband. When SIRO initially launched plans for Kildare in 2017 in collaboration with its contractor Actavo, the broadband operator aimed to connect 17,000 premises across four towns. Naas, Sallins, Johnstown and Kill were the first towns to be connected under SIRO’s roll out. Kildare is now one of 21 counties that have access to connectivity three times the speeds of what’s currently available in Dublin, rivalling leading global cities like Singapore and Tokyo. Four years on, nine towns across the county can avail of 100% fibre Gigabit Connectivity. These include Naas, Newbridge, Athy, Kildare, Clane, Sallins, Kill, Kilcullen and Prosperous.

Hybrid Working - Dependant on Reliable Broadband

Since the onset of a global pandemic, access to reliable connectivity has been critical as we shift towards a hybrid approach to working, living and learning. Fibre connectivity is a utility that can withstand Zoom calls, streaming and large file uploads simultaneously; enabling residents of Kildare to do life differently with no lag or interruptions. SIRO’s network is built utilising the ESB overhead and underground electricity network, ensuring a fast and reliable connection directly to your home. There is no copper connection involved, meaning homes and businesses can reach speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second. Commenting on the milestone achievement, Rodney Howard, Build Manager at SIRO said:

“We’re delighted to announce that SIRO in collaboration with Actavo have enabled 27,000 homes and businesses to avail of fibre to the home connectivity. When we first launched in 2017, we aimed to connect 17,000 premises. However, the demand for reliable broadband has enabled us to exceed our original goal, by almost 60%, more than doubling our presence from four to now nine towns in the county. Kildare is a county known for many things, one being its commuter county status but now that SIRO’s network spans across nine towns, we hope to enable the people of Kildare to work, live and play closer to home”.

SIRO CEO John Keaney, noted:

“When we first launched our fibre roll out to Kildare towns, we couldn’t have anticipated the full extent of the demand in the county. Demand for reliable and resilient broadband exploded during COVID-19 due to working from home and eLearning, in addition to staying connected with family and friends. These ways of living and working are here to stay, and fibre broadband is now viewed as an essential service. Just like water or electricity, high quality broadband is now fundamental to how we live. Access to this service gives individuals, families and communities much greater choice in how they live and work and in ways that work best for them”

SIRO fibre broadband for home is available to order from: Sky, Vodafone, Digiweb, Blacknight and PureTelecom.  

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We have now passed 16,000 homes and businesses as part of our Kerry fibre broadband roll out program. When launched in 2015, Kerry was one of the first counties to receive SIRO’s 100% Fibre To-The-Premise broadband. To date, SIRO has invested €10.2M in bringing its’ fibre broadband network to Kerry towns including Tralee, Castleisland and Killarney. Killarney, one of SIRO’s Gigabit towns, now has 5,000 premises passed with fibre broadband on SIRO’s network, as we complete the first phase of our roll out in the Kingdom. SIRO’s enterprise product, providing equal upload and download speeds, is particularly popular with many businesses in the town availing of this best-in-class fibre connectivity. The Killarney Oak’s Hotel (‘the Oaks’), situated on the outskirts of the town, is just one such business benefitting directly from SIRO’s reliable broadband connection.  The hotel, a family-owned business has been open for more than 20 years, catering to a wide demographic from young families to grandparents. The Oaks is also an award-winning wedding destination hotel, with couples from as far off as Australia choosing the hotel for their special day. The Oak has 70 double guest bedrooms, but with its’ wedding, restaurant and bar facilitates it has the capacity (outside of current COVID-19 restrictions) to host many more, particularly during peak wedding and summer holiday periods. This made the hotel’s need for high speed and reliable broadband a priority, shaping their decision to switch to SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband network. Commenting on the progress of the Kerry roll out, SIRO’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ronan Whelan said: “We are very pleased with the progress of SIRO’s roll out in Killarney and the county. Killarney was one of SIRO’s first gigabit towns to benefit from SIRO’s best-in-class connectivity. Now, to see Kerry homes and businesses being supported by our broadband network, and throughout the pandemic, underlines to us the continued importance of our mission to bring high quality fibre broadband to regional towns across Ireland. “Killarney and Kerry are the jewel in the crown of the Irish tourism and hospitality sectors, with the pre-Covid value of the industry worth over half a billion euro to the county.  While it’s been an incredibly tough year for these sectors, reliable connectivity has given a lifeline to businesses within it enabling many to pivot to new ways of working and trading, which our broadband network has supported. “As Ireland begins its’ journey to recovery, connectivity will grow even more in importance. Getting the message out that high speed reliable broadband is available in towns like Killarney is key to business bounce back in the months ahead. “Businesses like the Killarney Oaks with customers booking or doing virtual tours of the hotel months in advance of travelling, are further proof of the importance of a reliable fibre broadband connection”. Eamonn Courtney, owner of the Killarney Oak’s Hotel, remarked: “As a family-owned business operating in Killarney for the past 20 years, we understand the significance of growing and evolving your business to keep up with the times. “The pandemic brought its own challenges and we had to adjust our business accordingly. Having fibre broadband allowed us, even during lockdowns, to prepare the business for reopening and recovery into next year and beyond such as by continuing to handle bookings or enabling virtual wedding tours. Now that we’ve begun to welcome guests back, the first question they always ask is “what’s the Wi-Fi password?” and we’re delighted that it’s now not something we worry about”, added Courtney. SIRO for Business is live in Killarney with Vodafone, Viatel, Digiweb, Blacknight and PureTelecom offering 100% FTTP connectivity. Visit www.siro.ie/killarney for more information.

SIRO, the joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, rolling out a new national 100% fibre broadband network across Ireland has today announced that the company is bringing fibre broadband to an additional 8,000 homes and businesses in Enniscorthy and Gorey. With this roll-out commencing in July; overall, SIRO is on a target to pass almost 20,000 premises across Wexford by end 2021. Demand for high-speed broadband is greater than ever and SIRO’s 1 Gigabit fibre broadband is providing families and businesses with faster video streaming service, a seamless work from home experience and ability to work on multiple devices without lags. SIRO’s fibre rollout in Wexford commenced in September 2016. Already close to 11.5K homes have been connected in County Wexford, including the towns of Enniscorthy, Courtown and Wexford town itself. An additional 8,000 homes and businesses in Enniscorthy and Gorey (and a small number in Wexford town where SIRO has already rolled out) will be passed by the company in the coming months - reaching close to 20K homes passed by SIRO by end of 2021. The total level of investment in the SIRO’s Wexford fibre broadband roll-out is more than €10 million. Ronan Whelan, Chief Commercial Officer, SIRO remarked, “Wexford was one of our first counties in which SIRO commenced our national roll-out, so it’s a significant milestone for the company that we will reach 20,000 homes passed by year end.  We are pleased that SIRO’s roll-out continued even during Covid-19 restrictions, particularly as broadband was needed more than ever by Wexford communities over the last 15 months. “As more businesses migrate online, the world emerging post COVID-19 demands connectivity and a broadband service which matches the fastest and most reliable services found anywhere in Ireland, indeed globally.  Fibre broadband meets this standard and is also future proofed for ever growing data demands. Outdated and slower copper connections are no longer good enough and are holding individuals and businesses back in doing their everyday, but essential, tasks online.”

Almost 400,000 Premises Now Available on the SIRO Network

Over the past five years, SIRO has rolled out fibre broadband to 64 towns across Ireland, passing almost 400,000 homes and businesses in the process. SIRO’s fibre broadband network utilises the ESB’s existing electrical network, ensuring greater reliability and a greener network. SIRO draws on both ESB’s heritage and on-the-ground knowledge and Vodafone’s telecoms expertise to roll out its fibre network. Fibre broadband ensures higher speeds, superior quality, and reliability far beyond what copper connections, being phased out across the world, offer. The company also noted the ongoing work by Wexford County Council in promoting increased remote working in the county by those who, pre-pandemic, commuted to cities such as Dublin and to encourage Dublin-based companies to consider locating in the county. Ronan Whelan noted:

“The position taken by Wexford County Council makes complete sense. People want lower costs of living, less commuting and a better quality of life. Wexford has so much to offer in these areas such as high-quality office accommodation, affordable housing, great quality of life and all within relatively close distance of Dublin. The final piece of the jigsaw to make it happen is broadband connectivity. Fibre broadband is the gamechanger in shifting people and investment back into regional Ireland, with SIRO’s roll-out to 64 regional towns including those in Wexford, working to that objective.”

SIRO is a wholesale provider, meaning homeowners in Co Wexford can avail of SIRO-backed fibre broadband through 7 different operators which are Sky, Vodafone, Digiweb, Blacknight, Pure Telecom, Rocket Broadband and Carnsore Broadband. Businessowners can also receive SIRO through Rocket Broadband, Vodafone, Pure Telecom, Carnsore Broadband and Blacknight. To check if your home or business can upgrade its connection to 100% Fibre-To-The-Premise Gigabit broadband, search your Eircode today.

SIRO’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ronan Whelan joined Mary O’Neill on WLR FM to discuss SIRO’s €7.5 million investment, connecting over 9,000 homes and businesses in Waterford city to 100% fibre broadband.

Fibre broadband wholesaler, SIRO, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, which is rolling out a new 100% fibre network across Ireland, today confirmed that the company is on target to pass over 9,000 homes and businesses across Waterford city by the end of the year. The company also confirmed that SIRO will have invested €7.5 million by end 2021 as part of its’ Waterford city roll-out programme, bringing 1 Gigabit fibre broadband to homes and businesses. Access to high quality fibre broadband will provide city residents with a fit for purpose alterative to outdated and slower copper connections which many are still forced to rely on across the city. SIRO commenced its’ fibre broadband roll-out in Waterford city less than two years ago, in September 2019. The company’s fibre roll-out is ongoing, but to date it has passed premises in areas of the city such as Ferrybank, Ballybricken, Gracedieu, Lismore with plans to roll-out to additional areas such as Templar’s Hall and Foxwood by the end of year. SIRO has to date rolled out fibre broadband to 64 towns across Ireland, passing almost 400,000 homes and businesses in the process. The company’s fibre broadband network utilises the ESB’s existing electrical network, ensuring greater reliability and a reuse of existing infrastructure. Having both ESB and Vodafone as joint venture partners, allows SIRO to draw on both ESB’s heritage and on-the-ground knowledge and Vodafone’s telecoms expertise to roll out its fibre network. SIRO’s network is 100% fibre and delivered all the way into each home or business. Fibre broadband is the highest standard of broadband available and ensures higher speeds, superior quality and reliability, far beyond what copper connections being phased out across the world can offer. As working remotely, online schooling or shopping became a requirement during COVID-19 lockdowns, demand for SIRO’s fibre broadband has grown substantially amongst householders. Equally, with increased numbers of businesses across Ireland forced to close during three lockdowns, many pivoted online to ensure they could either continue to trade or increase their share of online sales. The company believes there is a significant pent-up demand for reliable fibre broadband in the South-East region, citing a recent Enterprise Ireland survey which shows 57% of workers surveyed from the region were seeking “availability of high-speed broadband. SIRO CEO John Keaney commenting on the company’s investment in Waterford city noted:

“SIRO is investing €7.5 million in its’ fibre broadband roll-out across Waterford city to end 2021 in recognition of the city’s importance as a growing commercial centre and the city’s potential for further significant economic development and job creation. Digital connectivity, unlocked through the availability of reliable, high quality fibre broadband which meets the demands of business and, now standard, multiple-device households, is essential to the city’s future growth and post-COVID-19 recovery. Fibre broadband is critical for Ireland’s regions to prosper, act as a counterbalance to larger cities such as Dublin or Cork and give people the option to work and live close to home. Research, particularly since COVID-19, shows people want to work locally or hybrid work provided they have access to a high speed and reliable broadband connection. Meeting this demand is, put simply, exactly what SIRO’s Waterford city roll-out is seeking to address,”

SIRO also notes the ambitious plans for the development of the city, such as through the Waterford 2040 – Find Your Future campaign aiming to decarbonise the city by 2040 or the Waterford County and City Council Development Plan, both of which have been developed by city civic and business leaders. These plans aim to grow the economic footprint of the city but also to create a city which is more sustainable and greener. According to John Keaney, SIRO’s fibre broadband network will provide a key foundation for these proposals, he noted:

“COVID-19 has shown that we don’t need to be stuck in our cars for hours on end, travelling long distances to work each day. Working from anywhere, whether our homes or a hub, is now feasible. This will do a lot to take cars off our streets, reduce carbon emissions and attract people back into our urban areas, but as more sustainable working and recreational spaces for workers and families. As SIRO’s fibre broadband roll-out in Waterford city accelerates, replacing out-dated copper connections, there is a further environmental return - with fibre 60% more energy efficient than copper. It also provides a future proofed broadband network primed to meet ever increasing data demands within the city over the years ahead.”

The company is urging all city homeowners and businesses struggling with online connectivity to check if fibre broadband is now available in their area.

On Tuesday last the Government launched its’ long awaited National Economic Recovery Plan - Ireland’s €3.6 billion investment shot in the arm to help economic recovery from COVID-19. The level of investment puts it on a par to Budget Day, but €3.6 billion in the context of high unemployment and precarious position of thousands of businesses won’t stretch far. That said, it continues the pragmatic approach by this Government of propping up businesses, which, pandemic apart, would be viable. There is a strong focus on a digital and a green recovery too. Digital and green go hand in hand, with digital often being an enabler of more sustainable ways of living. Take remote working, fuelled by high quality fibre broadband and reliable connectivity, but pervasive in reducing the need for long commutes, reducing carbon emissions as a result. If the extent of funding committed to Ireland’s digital recovery, at €295 million, was the only marker of success, then Ireland would have already aced it. Add in ring-fenced funding of €85 million to support SMEs accelerate digitisation and the opportunity for Irish business is significant. Yet, funding, while critical to the success of any project, is only one part. Ensuring funding is invested in the most impactful and transformative way is also critical. And it isn’t just about what it can do for business, but also how it benefits communities and individuals, particularly in reducing inequalities. Plans are often only as good as the leaders behind them. In deciding how best to support a meaningful digital revolution, it’s important to set out what’s the vision and the end goal for Ireland, including KPIs. A glance at where Ireland’s ranks on digitisation relative to others in the EU, finds we are marked relatively high. Unfortunately, this doesn’t tell the full story. The European Investment Bank has noted of Ireland, “the digital economy appears to run at two different speeds, with a small number of foreign-owned multinationals with high digi­talisation levels and productivity, and traditional indigenous SMEs, which are slower in leveraging digital solutions”. With 99.8% of active businesses SMEs and 70% of the workforce employed in non-digital sectors such as services, construction and manufacturing, there is no doubt that we are a nation of small businesses and digitally, we are exposed. The priority must be to foster SMEs, ensuring that they are digital leaders not laggards. We need fast adaptation of new technologies such as AI, digital automation and VR, as everyday business tools. Equally, with the winds of global tax changes blowing ever stronger, we must cushion ourselves against a significant drop off in multinational corporation tax by investing now in the capacity of our domestic businesses. The starting point is a swift transition to the new networks driving connectivity, possible through rapid migration to full fibre broadband. We need greater awareness of the importance of high quality and reliable fibre business broadband connections. As fibre networks, such as SIRO’s, increase their footprint across Ireland it’s hard to believe, but some businesses remain unaware of an alternative to slow and outdated copper connections, paralysing their business every day. Business leaders and State agencies can play a greater role, in addition to industry, in ensuring SMEs understand what best-in-class fibre broadband is and can unlock for their bottom line. The upfront cost of a business broadband connection can be an issue for some businesses. It’s a commercial reality - rolling out a fibre network cost hundreds of millions. To fund this investment a once-off connection fee is necessary, but it can dissuade some smaller businesses. Government can support businesses, particularly micro-enterprises, in meeting this cost. There are already voucher schemes for companies wishing to develop a website or sell online so why not to connect to high-speed fibre broadband too? Government has spoken about digital training for SMEs, but unless we have a more rapid uptake of high-quality broadband then the training can’t be applied. Equally, the training we provide SMEs must be appropriate for their individual needs. SIRO has submitted a proposal to Government for each SME to undergo a digital fitness test, identifying their digital weaknesses and the best to means to resolve them. It makes no sense to expect SMEs to self-diagnose their digital condition, perhaps opting for unsuitable training courses. Beyond SMEs, the digitisation of our public services is key. A National Digital Strategy is imminent. It must develop digital public services which meet users’ needs; not the agencies which provide them. Digital pioneers such as Singapore, give food for thought. Its’ LifeSG App provides access to a grouped suite of public services to support citizens at key life stages such as young families, active ageing or employment and job seekers supports. In Ireland it’s end users who must work around State agencies when accessing public services. The pattern starts early. Take parents of a new-born, in those early weeks, they must engage with three different agencies with three sets of paperwork when registering a birth, applying for children’s allowance and applying for under 6 free GP care. For business, the bureaucracy can be worse. The Plan also commits to bridge digital divides. This is more than just older, non-digital natives. While important, there are other, equally significant, impacted groups including lone parents, carers, those with disabilities or ethic communities. They need equality of access to both digital skills and the tools needed to deliver those skills, including broadband. The pandemic exposed many manifestations of digital marginalisation in Ireland, in home schooling, working from home, healthcare or access to other services. But it also established broadband as an essential service equal to water or electricity. Do we also need to consider providing financial assistance to pay for broadband for groups without the means to afford it, akin to how we currently provide a weekly payment to support phone charges for pensioners? In the U.S., the Biden administration recognising the potential for digital divides to grow is providing $50 a month to low-income families to pay the cost of broadband. Government plans to accelerate Ireland’s digital competency, though welcome, bring competing choices on how to invest scare these resources - making it even more important that we spend wisely.

SIRO Chief Commercial Officer, Ronan Whelan joins Guaranteed Irish CEO, Brid O' Connell on the Guaranteed Irish Business Podcast to discuss how in the midst of chaos there is opportunity, and our recent membership with Guaranteed Irish.  

SIRO Chief Commercial Officer Ronan Whelan: “Despite physical business closures over the past year, Irish consumers have looked to support local, Irish businesses. There is a huge opportunity for Irish businesses, post-pandemic, to continue to tap into the COVID-19 groundswell of consumer goodwill and loyalty toward Irish businesses.  However, it shouldn’t be taken for granted, with businesses still needing to improve in areas such as delivery charges and customer services”. A consumer survey undertaken by fibre broadband wholesaler, SIRO, has found high levels of support for Buying Irish amongst Irish consumers during COVID-19.  The research found that half of those surveyed indicated that they bought more Irish goods and services during the pandemic than previously and that their preference for Irish-first will continue post-COVID-19. Key findings from the research include: Importance of Buying Irish: 89% of people cite Buying Irish as being important to them, of those 37% believe it to be very important and 52% somewhat important. 11% stated they did not see it as important. Buying Irish during the pandemic: 50% of those surveyed responded that they are buying more Irish goods and services during the pandemic than they were prior to COVID-19. 41% stated the extent to which they Buy Irish is unchanged, with 7% buying less and 2% not sure. Buying Irish post-COVID-19: Of those who are buying more Irish goods and services during the pandemic, 79% say they will continue to prioritise Buying Irish after the pandemic has ended; with 19% not sure and 2% saying they will buy less. Support for Buying Irish amongst age groups and genders: Those 18-30 years of age are significantly more likely to see Buying Irish as ‘very important’ relative to older age groups. Equally of those surveyed, women were more likely to Buy Irish than men. Although no notable regional differences emerged. Reasons for Choosing Irish: The top three reasons are Buying Irish goods and services cited by respondents were supporting Irish and local businesses at 82%, the quality of goods and services at 63% and avoiding import taxes and charges at 49%. Most frustrating aspects of Buying Irish: The most common issues amongst respondents were delivery charges at 66% and customer services issues at 38%. Finally, when asked about choosing a broadband provider 34% surveyed had switched provider in the past year, with a desire for higher speeds and better value being the most cited reasons. Commenting on the survey results, SIRO Chief Commercial Officer Ronan Whelan noted: “What comes through so clearly in our research is that, despite physical business closures over the past year, Irish consumers in large numbers have looked to support local, Irish businesses, such as through online or click and collect services. This support for local and Irish has been pivotal in keeping many businesses afloat during the darkest days of COVID-19. “As Ireland now looks to recover and rebuild keeping this support engaged will be crucial. There is a huge opportunity for businesses to continue to tap into the COVID-19 groundswell of consumer goodwill and loyalty toward Irish businesses, once the pandemic has passed. “However, customer loyalty is earned and shouldn’t be taken for granted, with businesses still needing to continuously innovate and improve in areas such as delivery charges and customer services. “Today, SIRO is excited to announce that we are joining Guaranteed Irish. It’s a natural fit for SIRO. As an Irish company with a footprint across Ireland and through our work in connecting homes and business to high quality fibre broadband, like Guaranteed Irish, we have a shared objective of empowering Irish businesses to prosper and grow”. Guaranteed Irish CEO Bríd O’Connell stated: “I am delighted to welcome SIRO on board. As Ireland’s leading fibre optic broadband network, SIRO embraces our core values of building sustainable communities through enterprise, backing local jobs, and supporting homegrown Irish businesses to recover and grow. These values are showcased through SIRO’s commitment to connecting homes and businesses to high quality fibre broadband, in turn benefiting our local economy and supporting Irish jobs particularly in communities throughout the country.”

SIRO, the wholesale joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, have today announced that they have now rolled out their best-in-class gigabit fibre broadband to over 43,000 homes and businesses in Cork city and county. The company also announced that an additional 11,500 premises will be passed by the end of this year, bringing the total number to just under 55,000 or a third of all homes and businesses in Cork. Initially announced in 2017 by then Tánaiste and Minister for Transport, Simon Coveney, SIRO ambitiously set out to make Cork the “Broadband Capital of Ireland”. Since then, SIRO has been actively building a new national telecoms infrastructure right across Cork city and the wider county. SIRO’s network now stretches right across Cork city from Ballincollig, Glasheen, Bishopstown Douglas and Rochestown to Glanmire and within the county to towns such as Mallow, Midleton or Skibbereen. Nationally, SIRO has passed 375,000 homes and businesses right across regional Ireland. The SIRO network delivers 100% fibre all the way into the home or building, with no copper at any point all the way. This a high-quality, reliable and fast connection, with no slow down when multiple devices are working simultaneously, with equal download and upload speeds. Notwithstanding the restrictions due to COVID-19, SIRO has continued its fibre broadband roll-out across Cork during the pandemic. The need for connectivity amidst a global pandemic has motivated the company to further expedite their rollouts wherever possible. Cork residents, like those in every town and city across Ireland over the last 12 months, have had a huge demand for high quality broadband to enable remote working and trading online for local businesses, home schooling, movie and video streaming or online shopping. SIRO’s network has underpinned a new normal of large file sharing, video calls and live collaborative spaces. The company sees that even as the country opens up from lockdown that these trends will grow rather than revert to old ways of living and working. Commenting on the announcement, Cork Build Manager, Tricia McElliot said:

“We are delighted with the progress SIRO and our partner CBE have made in making Cork city and county. The efforts made by our dedicated build team and contractors is something that is commendable, especially as construction ceased temporarily as a result of the pandemic. Connectivity is not just for the pandemic, and SIRO’s 100% FTTP broadband aims to future proof homes and businesses for future data demand.”

John Keaney, SIRO CEO and Chair of Telecommunications Industry Ireland elaborated:

“SIRO are dedicated to our roll out in Cork City and County. Our roll out in the past year has been remotivated by the onslaught of COVID-19 and as a wholesaler, we are committed to delivering  resilient, quality FTTP broadband for homes and businesses across Cork. By the end of 2021, we will see approx. 55,000 homes and businesses across the Rebel County connected as part of our Phase One roll out, with plans to further develop our roll out across the county. Life is different now, and Cork’s broadband landscape is too."

SIRO is available to order from homes and businesses from the following retailers in Cork: Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, PureTelecom, Nova Broadband and Viatel. Search your Eircode and find out if your home or business is SIRO ready.