€20 Million Gigabit Broadband Investment By SIRO In Galway

Minister Seán Kyne, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands has launched a new SIRO rollout to provide Galway city with access to the most powerful broadband service in Ireland. The first Galway homes which were connected to the network in Oranmore last week. The Galway rollout will see services powered by SIRO made available to approximately 30,000 premises across Galway city and the surrounding area.  SIRO will invest €20 million in the construction of its Gigabit broadband network, representing what will be the largest single investment that the wholesale broadband operator will make in 2019. The network build will commence from SIRO points of Interconnect in Galway, Oranmore and Moneenageisha to cover 30 clusters in the Galway area bringing access to SIRO’s Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) technology, which is recognised as the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally and is 100% fibre-optic, with no copper at any point to slow it down.  

Fibre-Optic Cables Straight to the Home

Using the existing ESB network, SIRO builds dedicated fibre-optic cables all the way to the home or business premises, delivering speeds of 1 Gigabit per second or 15 times faster than the average broadband speeds in Ireland.  For context, downloading a high definition (HD) film of 4 GB (Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection takes an hour - with SIRO it takes 30 seconds. Given the changes in how businesses and consumers access and use data and content, FTTB is now the fastest growing segment of the Irish broadband market with connections more than doubling since the start of 2018 from 50,000 to 108,000. FTTB is a key enabler of smart cities, the internet of things (IoT) and homeworking. The TLI Group, which has already delivered Carrigaline, Limerick, Tralee, and Killarney and is currently working in another 6 towns across Cork and Tipperary, has been appointed build delivery partner for the Galway roll out. Welcoming the announcement, Minister Seán Kyne said the investment in Galway by ESB and Vodafone through SIRO is a direct result of the Government’s policies on broadband which have included enabling the use of the ESB network for telecommunications. Gigabit connectivity will have a transformative effect on Galway as Fibre-to-the-Building is recognised as the gold standard for broadband internationally. As a result, this will give Galway businesses a head start against their peers both at home and internationally, as well as giving homes access to the latest digital services.” John Keaney, CEO of SIRO, added: “Our Gigabit connectivity will complement Galway’s rich technology heritage and put it on a par with international cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo in terms of broadband quality. SIRO is proud to help power a digital transformation in the city benefiting residents and businesses alike by introducing a new fibre era and switching off the old legacy copper network.”  

High-Speed Broadband is Attracting Investors to Galway

Speaking at the launch Mark Gantly, Senior R&D Director HP Enterprise, President of the American Chamber of Commerce, also said: “The availability of high speed internet connections are increasingly demanded by Foreign Direct Investors (FDI) looking to locate in regional Ireland. SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband will future proof Galway City’s broadband requirements for generations.” Speaking at the launch, Galway Chamber President Dave Hickey added: “Given the strong growth of sectors such as financial services, medtech, ICT, and cyber security in Galway, it is absolutely essential that business is supported by the best quality connectivity. We have low latency transatlantic connection and now we have the local connectivity to match. It builds further resilience for an economy increasingly driven by data.” Mayor of Galway City Cllr. Mike Cubbard added: “Galway city is well placed to leverage this with new office space due to come on-stream over the next year, rental prices half the price of equivalent space in Dublin on average; a lower cost of living; and a talented workforce with 53% of the city’s population under 35 years of age.” 10 retailers now offer services powered by SIRO’s Gigabit broadband network to homes and businesses in 45 towns across the country. SIRO is offered on an open-access basis to all telecoms retailers in Ireland.  SIRO has formed partnerships with 10 operators – Vodafone, Digiweb, Sky, BT, Carnsore Broadband, Rocket Broadband, Kerry Broadband, eNet, Airwire and WestNet – with more retailers expected to come on board as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market.

Vodafone Ireland has today released data that shows 22,200 people commute to Dublin from Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford each day at the launch of three new SIRO-powered Gigabit hubs in the South East. Using insights gained from the combined Vodafone network performance data and CSO population data analytics, the information provides a clear understanding of the commuter trends along the M7, M9 and M11 and the sheer scale of people commuting to Dublin.  

New Work Junction Hubs

New Work Junction hubs in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford are the latest to receive free SIRO powered fibre Gigabit connectivity, provided by Vodafone and offered to 13 co-working hubs across the country. By providing high-speed connectivity to hubs in regional towns, the initiative supports local businesses and workers who want to work remotely. Since the launch of the Kilkenny hub in 2015, New Work Junction – a group of co-working centres – has expanded its operations to include Carlow, officially opened today at a special event with Treasa Doran, Vodafone Ireland, Ronan Whelan, SIRO, Vanessa Tierney, Abodoo, Tracy Keogh, Grow Remote and two remote workers speaking.  

Vodafone/SIRO Gigabit Hub Initiative

Launched in 2017, the Vodafone/ SIRO Gigabit Hub Initiative was designed to spark a digital transformation in 15 towns across Ireland and encourage job creation and economic growth. SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic Gigabit connectivity, which is three times as powerful as the best service in Dublin and 10 times more powerful than the fastest average internet speed in Ireland, gives businesses in the three hubs world-class broadband connectivity. Speaking at the event, Head of Commercial at Vodafone Business Ireland Treasa Doran, said: “We are delighted to provide free Gigabit connectivity to three more co-working hubs and see the expansion of our initiative to 13. This initiative is allowing people to work smarter, have a better work/life balance and pursue careers in towns and villages across Ireland. Through our commitment to improve rural connectivity by bringing high-speed broadband to hubs such as New Work Junction, we can try reverse commuting and urban migration trends and help increase productivity by allowing people to work closer to home and spend less time on the road”. The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which was the first hub connected by SIRO in July 2016, is an ‘exemplar project’ that has been recognised by the European Commission and is on course to create 500 jobs over the next five years in West Cork.” Ronan Whelan, Chief Commercial Officer SIRO added: “By delivering Gigabit connectivity to these three hubs, we have made remote working a real option for 350 people. This highlights the real difference that 100% fibre-optic broadband can make to people’s lives by saving commuters from sitting in traffic. The rise in hubs like New Work Junction clearly illustrates the huge demand in regional towns for connectivity and thanks to our network Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford have the same level of world-class broadband as leading international hubs like Hong Kong and Tokyo. It forms part of our rollout in the South East, with Gigabit connectivity available to over 23,000 premises in the region to date.” Founder of New Work Junction Tom O’Neill said: “Since I started the New Work Junction hubs in 2015, I’ve noticed that we have a steady number of start-ups and freelancers, but also an ever increasing number of remote workers. I see these remote working hubs as a chance to reduce travel time for the thousands of commuters who make the trip to Dublin from the South East every day”. “We’re keen to be fully engaged in this conversation and appreciate the support of organisations such as Vodafone and SIRO in ensuring we have the high-speed connectivity we need to attract people to our hubs. Together, and with other organisations, we can begin to catalyse the big change that needs to happen towards a re-distributed workforce.” One such company benefiting from the SIRO 1 GB connection is Bórd na Móna.  Speaking about New Work Junction, employee Pat Considine said: “It has been a huge benefit to me overall, not just in terms of saving a two hour commute. I find I get more work done as there are less interruptions and distractions and there is a good work environment and atmosphere with everyone who works there.”

Minister for Education & Skills Joe McHugh TD has announced a new €14 million investment by SIRO in the rollout of its Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) broadband network to six new towns in Donegal - Buncrana, Donegal Town, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Ballyshannon and Bundoran. This will see over 14,000 homes and premises offered access to Ireland’s fastest broadband network.

Construction Begins in Buncrana

SIRO has already commenced construction, with 1,600 homes and businesses in Buncrana already able to avail of Gigabit connectivity, and preparatory works also already underway in the five other towns. All of the premises will have a 100% fibre-optic connection available, giving them access to the same level of world class broadband in cities like Hong Kong or Tokyo. Stephen O'Connor SIRO's Director of Corporate Affairs, speaks to Highland Radio. The announcement was made by Minister McHugh at an event at Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, held in partnership with Donegal County Council, which also saw KN Networks revealed as SIRO’s construction partner for the project. It brings SIRO’s total investment in Co Donegal to €25 million, having already made services powered by the wholesale broadband operator available to 11,000 premises in Letterkenny. There has been a high level of demand already in Letterkenny, with a penetration rate of more than 25% with public interest in services powered by SIRO in Buncrana also very encouraging at this early stage. SIRO has also committed to connect Donegal County Council’s planned Digital Hub in Buncrana as part of Vodafone and SIRO’s national Gigabit Hub Initiative, which offers a 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps or Megabits per second) broadband connection to qualifying business hubs in regional towns.  

SIRO rollout expanding from regional towns

SIRO’s rollout originally focused on 50 regional towns, each with over 4,000 premises, across the country. The addition of these six smaller towns to SIRO’s rollout is a pilot for a potential future second phase, which could see the rollout of SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network expanded further. Commenting about the Donegal rollout, Minister for Education & Skills Joe McHugh TD said: “The Government has been actively encouraging the private sector to invest in delivering high speed broadband to regions across Ireland and today’s announcement is an example of that strategy paying off for Donegal. The investment by SIRO will see the construction in six towns of a Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network, which is recognised as the gold standard for broadband internationally, and is to be applauded. Residents and businesses in Buncrana, Donegal, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Ballyshannon and Bundoran will have access to the level of connectivity that is available in Tokyo and Hong Kong, so these towns will stand at the top of Ireland’s broadband league.” Cllr Seamus O'Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, said: “Broadband is as vital for day-to-day life as electricity and is an absolute necessity for social and economic development in Donegal. Following the successful launch of services powered by SIRO in Letterkenny, the Council has worked very closely with the company to encourage them to invest further and expand their rollout to additional towns, as well as committing to powering the Inishowen Innovation Hub as part of the Gigabit Hubs initiative.  This is a great day for Donegal and we’re very proud to see the Council’s efforts paying off to deliver this milestone.” Stephen O’Connor, SIRO’s Director of Corporate Affairs added: “SIRO has formed a close partnership with Donegal County Council, which has been critical to adding these extra six towns to our network following our original successful launch in Letterkenny. Construction is well underway, with services already live in Buncrana. Simply put, this will have a transformational effect as all 25,000 homes and businesses will have access to Gigabit broadband, which is the international gold standard for broadband connectivity.”  

SIRO is Expanding the Gigabit Hub Initiative

As part of its expanded rollout in Donegal, SIRO has put out a call to business centres in the six towns to register their interest in participating in the Gigabit Hub Initiative, which is run in partnership with Vodafone. The initiative aims to spark a digital transformation by providing Gigabit connectivity to qualifying hubs free of charge for two years. The recipients will receive a 1 Gigabit broadband connection from Vodafone which is powered by SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network. The aim of the initiative is to replicate the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen which is on course to help create 500 jobs in the West Cork region over the next five years.  

Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English TD has announced details of a €20 million investment programme in Meath by SIRO, the wholesale broadband operator building Ireland’s only 100% fibre-optic broadband network.  Encouraged by the success of its Navan rollout, where services are already live, SIRO now announces eight new towns for Meath. SIRO will connect Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Trim, Dunboyne, Mornington, Laytown and Bettystown to its Fibre-to-the-Building network. As a result, services powered by SIRO will be available to 21,000 homes and business in the county. Commenting about the addition of eight Meath towns to SIRO’s rollout, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English TD said: “I have been actively advocating in Government for plans to help accelerate the rollout of high speed broadband across the country, so it is brilliant to see eight new towns in Meath get access to what is regarded as the international gold standard for broadband. Towns like Trim will now be on a par with cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong for broadband connectivity, so the possibilities are endless in terms of residents benefiting from the latest online services and businesses gaining a competitive edge.” Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, added: “One of the key aims of Meath County Council’s digital strategy is to help boost the economic and social development of the county through improved digital capabilities. The wider rollout of SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network, which will now reach nine towns in the county, illustrates how we are delivering on that promise. As a result, we will be able to attract further investment to the county, make remote working a more attractive option for people commuting to work and make innovative services like video consultations with GPs a real possibility.” John McManus, SIRO Build Director, concluded: “We’re delighted to broaden the scope of our rollout, with eight Meath towns added to our plans. SIRO is building Ireland’s only 100 per cent fibre-optic network, which means that anyone in Meath using our services are guaranteed the best broadband experience in the country as there is nothing faster than the speed of light. Considering the data demands in the future due to cloud technology and online streaming services, our Fibre-to-the-Building network means that we are future-proofing these nine towns broadband needs for decades ahead.”  

Expansion of Gigabit Hubs in Meath

As part of its expanded rollout in Meath, SIRO has put out a call to business centres in the eight towns to register their interest in participating in the Gigabit Hub Initiative, which is run in partnership with Vodafone. The initiative aims to spark a digital transformation by providing Gigabit connectivity to qualifying hubs free of charge for two years.  Recipients receive a 1 Gigabit broadband connection from Vodafone which is powered by SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network. There are currently ten participating Gigabit Hubs nationwide. The aim of the initiative is to replicate the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen which is on course to help create 500 jobs in the West Cork region over the next five years.

Sligo, November 30th 2018. IDA Ireland, in partnership with IT Sligo and Sligo County Council, have today officially opened a new fast landing property solution. The establishment of IDA Ireland’s first fast landing service at Embankment House, Sligo, to be known as ‘The Landing Space’, will provide an open plan, turnkey collaborative working environment for companies who wish to quickly and easily establish operations in the North West region. It is the latest strategic initiative by IDA Ireland to increase investments in regional locations by enhancing and highlighting the specific property attributes of individual regional urban centres. Sligo is home to leading life science companies such as Phibro, Abbvie, Abbott as well as tech companies LiveTiles, Overstock and E3 Retail.  These international brands help attract additional overseas companies to potentially locate to the Sligo area. Attending today’s launch, Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development Seán Canney said: “Sligo has benefited greatly in recent months from the arrival of global companies like Phibro, LiveTiles and E3 Retail. It’s proof that everything that global companies require to establish operations and scale up their operations can be found here – such as talent, services and infrastructure. The addition of this new fast landing space is another strong attractor, adding greatly to what Sligo has to offer. I congratulate all involved in developing this space. All of these developments also add to the work of the Atlantic Economic Corridor strategy as set out in the National Development Plan.” IDA Ireland’s Executive Director Mary Buckley said: “This top quality, turn-key property adds significantly to the value proposition we can offer clients and will greatly assist our efforts to attract inward investment to Sligo.  The collaborative work of all local stakeholders represented here today, including IT Sligo and Sligo County Council, is really important and demonstrates that creating an attractive location for investment benefits greatly from a team approach.” The availability of skilled workers and graduates in Sligo to service the North West’s growing international client base has greatly benefited the region.  Commenting at the launch Dr. Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo said: “IT Sligo is delighted to be partnering with the IDA and Sligo County Council in providing this new facility for Sligo-based companies. This initiative will add to our on-campus incubation facility offering, which currently houses over 30 companies, allowing us to build on our extensive suite of enterprise and entrepreneur supports. These new office facilities will provide a soft-landing base for companies establishing a permanent presence in Sligo” The location of Sligo as a destination for people in search of challenging careers and a positive work-life balance is well acknowledged as Ciaran Hayes, CEO, Sligo County Council said: “The availability of a fast Landing Space in the heart of Sligo contributes to a much sought after quality of life where you can avail of 1 Gigabit broadband connection in an attractive urban centre, yet be only 10 minutes from surfing the Wild Atlantic Way or availing of the many mountain or coastal walks in the land of hearts desire.” Gigabit Hub at the Landing Space Siro and Vodafone are supporting The Landing Space with the provision of Gigabit connectivity, the most powerful broadband available in Ireland, as it becomes the latest participant in Vodafone and SIRO’s national Gigabit Hub Initiative, which offers a 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps or Megabits per second) broadband connection to qualifying business hubs in regional towns. Companies based in The Landing Space will benefit from the same level of broadband connectivity as available in leading international hubs such in locations like Tokyo and Hong Kong. Speaking at the launch, Vodafone’s Enterprise Director, Regina Moran said: “I’m delighted to announce today that, through the SIRO Vodafone partnership, we have reached yet another significant milestone in terms of providing connectivity to regional areas of Ireland. “The Gigabit Hub initiative is providing vital infrastructure at pace across the country and in doing so is helping to promote regional parts of Ireland as destinations for international business. These hubs will create employment opportunities for the people of Sligo and surrounding communities and help to stimulate the local economy. We very much look forward to seeing the ambition we established two years ago support the local people and businesses in Sligo in the most tangible way, as they look to compete irrespective of location.” SIRO CEO John Keaney added: “The Landing Space is the latest example of how SIRO is reversing the digital divide in Ireland by giving Sligo the same level of world class broadband connectivity as Tokyo and Hong Kong. Doing business online is fundamental for every business today, from start-ups, SMEs to large multinationals.  Our 1 Gigabit service is now available to 200,000 homes and businesses around Ireland and clients of Landing Space companies won’t be able to tell the difference whether they are based on the West Coast of the United States or the West Coast of Ireland when they log on. As a result, when the next Google or Microsoft decides to open an office in Ireland, Sligo will be as appealing as Dublin.”

• Nenagh and Roscrea to be connected to SIRO’s 100% Fibre Optic Gigabit Broadband Network
• Overall SIRO network to reach 16,000 homes and businesses in County Tipperary.

Thursday 20^th September 2018 – SIRO, the wholesale broadband operator building Ireland’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network, announced today that it is adding two more towns to its network in Tipperary. At a meeting of Tipperary County Council (Nenagh Municipal District) SIRO outlined its plans to roll out its 1 Gigabit (1,000Mbps) broadband network in Nenagh and Roscrea. The two towns join Clonmel, where construction of the network began early in the summer. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity will allow residents and businesses to avail of broadband that is three times faster than the best service available in Dublin (350 Mbps) and 10 times more powerful than the fastest average internet speed in Ireland. As a result, Nenagh, Roscrea and Clonmel will be on a par with leading cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo in the international broadband leagues. SIRO’s rollout will commence in the Abbey Court, Brook Lands and Ormond Drive areas of Nenagh from the beginning of October. Roscrea will follow in early 2019. When construction in the three towns is completed approximately 16,000 homes and business premises in Nenagh, Roscrea and Clonmel will have access to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network. As SIRO is an open access wholesale provider, customers will purchase broadband services from one of SIRO’s retail partners when services go live in Clonmel late 2018 and Nenagh in Early 2019. The TLI Group, which has already worked with SIRO in Clonmel and in other towns in the South and South West, has been appointed as build partner for Nenagh and Roscrea. SIRO’s Fibre-to-the-Building technology is recognised as the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally and is 100% fibre-optic, with no copper at any point to slow it down. For context, downloading a high definition (HD) film of 4 GB (Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection takes an hour - with SIRO it takes 30 seconds. This means that the internet experience of Nenagh, Roscrea and Clonmel will be transformed, catapulting the town into the international leagues for broadband connectivity creating a platform for future economic development in the region. Aoife Ni Lochlainn of SIRO said: “SIRO is delighted to be bringing 100% fibre optic broadband to the people of Nenagh, Roscrea and Clonmel. This will have a transformational effect on the digital environment of these three towns, allowing businesses to compete online with their international peers and helping local entrepreneurs and businesses to bring their ideas to life, trading effortlessly around the world. The internet is now at the centre of or lives, whether it’s talking to our loved ones overseas, streaming movies, or selling products to the farthest corners of the globe. Having the same Gigabit connectivity as a city like Tokyo means that residents in Nenagh, Roscrea and Clonmel will experience the latest advances in online education, entertainment and remote working giving them the opportunity to pursue their dream without leaving their town.” SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network. Using the existing ESB network, SIRO delivers fibre optic cables all the way to the building. This technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Building, has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit speeds. The wholesale broadband operator’s network is now live in 30 towns across the country, with 10 retailers offering connections to over 185,000 homes and businesses. SIRO is offered on an open-access basis to all telecoms retailers in Ireland.  SIRO has formed partnerships with 10 operators – Vodafone, Digiweb, Sky, BT, Carnsore Broadband, Rocket Broadband, Kerry Broadband, eNet, Airwire and WestNet – with more retailers expected to come on board as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market. To register for updates about SIRO, please visit siro.ie/register-your-interest/

• SIRO announces €60 million investment to make Ireland’s fastest broadband available to over 75,000 homes and businesses in Cork city and towns
• Cork City (including Little Island and Ballincollig) joined by Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Blarney, Tower and Charleville as new “Gigabit Towns”
• Huawei appointed as build partner for Cork city (65,000 homes and businesses) with TLI Group appointed to oversee rollout services in five new Cork towns (10,000 premises)
• Overall SIRO network to reach 85,000 in County Cork.

17^th September 2018 – An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD has launched a new SIRO plan to provide Cork city with the best access to the most powerful broadband services in Ireland compared to other cities in the country. It marks the first time that SIRO Gigabit broadband will be built in a city of the scale of Cork, with over 65,000 homes and business premises targeted. Building on the successful deployment of SIRO in the Cork towns of Carrigaline, Skibbereen and Mallow, SIRO’s Cork footprint will expand to include a further 10,000 premises in five new towns - Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Blarney, Tower and Charleville. SIRO has built a network of over 185,000 premises in 40 towns around Ireland and Cork (totalling 85,000 premises) will be the largest single SIRO investment, with the €60 million construction plans announced today bringing the wholesale broadband operator’s total spend in the county to €70 million. SIRO has appointed Huawei as its build partner for the Cork city rollout marking the latest in a series of partnerships between the two companies. Huawei is providing end-to-end network equipment for phase one of SIRO’s rollout to 50 regional towns and is currently SIRO’s build partner in Athlone. The two companies also collaborated to run a successful trial of XGS-PON technology on SIRO’s 100% fibre network, which achieved speeds of 10 Gigabits per second. The TLI Group, which has already worked with SIRO on its Carrigaline rollout, has also been appointed to deliver Gigabit connectivity to five new towns added to the wholesale broadband operator’s construction plans. Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Blarney, Tower and Charleville will now also gain access to SIRO’s Fibre-to-the-Building technology, which is recognised as the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally and is 100% fibre-optic, with no copper at any point to slow it down. Commenting on the announcement, An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD said: “Gigabit connectivity will have a transformative effect on Cork city as Fibre-to-the-Building is recognised as the gold standard for broadband internationally. As a result, this will give Cork businesses a head start against their peers both at home and internationally, as well as giving homes access to the latest innovative digital services. This substantial investment by SIRO is another sign of how Government has encouraged investment by the private sector to boost our broadband capability. Cork stands to benefit substantially as highlighted by 10 other towns in the county all forming part of SIRO’s rollout.” Sean Atkinson, CEO of SIRO, added: “While Cork is traditionally seen as the second capital of Ireland, today’s announcement will firmly establish it as the broadband capital of Ireland. Our Gigabit connectivity will complement Cork’s rich technology heritage and put it on a par with international cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo. Cork city is ideally placed to leverage this with in excess of one million square foot of office space due to come on-stream over the next year, with rental prices less than half the price of equivalent space in Dublin on average; a 23% lower cost of living; and a talented workforce with half of the Cork population under 35 years of age. SIRO is proud to help power a digital transformation in the city, as well as the five new towns revealed today, benefiting residents and businesses alike.” Eric Yang, President of the Vodafone Account at Huawei, also said: “Huawei is delighted to be delivering SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband to Cork City, designing and building a network that will future proof Cork City’s broadband requirements for generations.” Speaking at the launch, Cork Chamber President Bill O’Connell added: “Given the strong growth of sectors such as global financial services, fintech, ICT, SaaS and cyber security in Cork, it is absolutely essential that business is supported by the best quality connectivity. We have the lowest latency transatlantic connection in Europe, new connections to mainland Europe in planning and now the local connectivity to match. It builds further resilience for an economy increasingly driven by data.” SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network. Using the existing ESB network, SIRO delivers fibre optic cables all the way to the building. This technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Building, has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit speeds. For context, downloading a high definition (HD) film of 4 GB (Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection takes an hour - with SIRO it takes 30 seconds. The wholesale broadband operator’s network is now live in 30 towns across the country, with 10 retailers offering connections to over 185,000 homes and businesses. SIRO is offered on an open-access basis to all telecoms retailers in Ireland.  SIRO has formed partnerships with 10 operators – Vodafone, Digiweb, Sky, BT, Carnsore Broadband, Rocket Broadband, Kerry Broadband, eNet, Airwire and WestNet – with more retailers expected to come on board as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market

Clonmel To Be Powered By SIRO’s 100% Fibre Optic Gigabit Broadband Network

SIRO, the wholesale broadband operator building Ireland’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network, will update Tipperary County Council (Borough District of Clonmel) today on the roll-out of its 1 Gigabit (1,000Mbps) broadband network in Clonmel. SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity will allow residents and businesses to avail of broadband that is three times faster than the best service available in Dublin (350 Mbps) and 10 times more powerful than the fastest average internet speed in Ireland. As a result, Clonmel will be on a par with leading cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo in the international broadband leagues. SIRO’s rollout will commence in the Barr an Aird, Ard Aoibhann, Ard na Sidhe, and Longfield areas from the end of May. When construction is completed approximately 10,000 homes and business premises in Clonmel will have access to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network. As SIRO is an open access wholesale provider, customers will purchase broadband services from one of SIRO’s retail partners when services go live in late 2018. SIRO’s Fibre-to-the-Building technology is recognised as the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally and is 100% fibre-optic, with no copper at any point to slow it down. This means that the internet experience of Clonmel will be transformed, catapulting the town into the international leagues for broadband connectivity creating a platform for future economic development in the region. Aoife Ni Lochlainn of SIRO said: “SIRO is delighted to be bringing 100% fibre optic broadband to the people of Clonmel. Businesses will be able to compete online with their international peers, as well as giving residents access to the latest online services in areas like education and remote working. The internet is now at the centre of or lives, whether it’s talking to our loved ones overseas, streaming movies, or selling products to the farthest corners of the globe. Having the same Gigabit connectivity as a city like Tokyo means that Clonmel will experience the latest advances in online education and entertainment, with local Clonmel entrepreneurs and businesses able to bring their ideas to life, trading effortlessly around the world.” SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network, offering a 1 GB (1,000 Mb) internet connection to 500,000 premises in fifty towns across Ireland. 150,000 Irish homes and businesses now have access to SIRO’s unrivalled broadband. This is to rise to 250,000 by the end of 2018. Using the existing ESB network, SIRO delivers fibre optic cables all the way to the building. This technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Building, has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit speeds. For context, downloading a high definition (HD) film of 4 GB (Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection takes an hour - with SIRO it takes 30 seconds. SIRO is offered on an open-access basis to all telecoms retailers in Ireland. SIRO has formed partnerships with Vodafone, Sky, Carnsore Broadband, Digiweb, Rocket Broadband, Kerry Broadband, Airwire and WestNet, with more retailers expected to come on board as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market.

Over 17,000 Kildare homes and businesses to have access to SIRO’s Gigabit Broadband

SIRO, the wholesale broadband operator building a 100% fibre-optic broadband network in 50 towns nationwide, today announced that over 17,000 homes and businesses in Kildare – 8,000 in Newbridge and 9,000 across Naas, Sallins, Kill and Johnstown – are to have access to its 1 Gigabit (1,000Mbps) broadband network. The company outlined its updated plans to roll-out its network across Kildare at a public event today at The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, in association with County Kildare Chamber of Commerce. Services are now live in Newbridge, allowing residents and businesses to avail of broadband that is three times faster than the best service available in Dublin (350 Mbps) and 10 times more powerful than the fastest average internet speed in Ireland. Construction is now also underway in Naas, with services expected to go live in areas including Alymer Park, Monread Heights, and Woodlands East by the end of the year, before work commences in Sallins, Kill and Johnstown in 2018. Construction across Kildare is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2018. Cllr Martin Miley, Mayor of Kildare said: “Fibre broadband is a key component for developing the Smart Economy in Newbridge and this initiative will put Newbridge and shortly to come, Naas, Sallins, Johnstown and Kill, in the same league as Tokyo and Hong Kong for broadband connectivity. This is vital for boosting the local economy, given the necessity of high speed broadband for attracting foreign direct investment. SIRO’s arrival is a welcome development and shows how we are delivering on our Local Area Plans and indeed the County Kildare Development Plan”. Opening the event County Kildare Chamber CEO, Allan Shine said: “We welcome the announcement by SIRO that it will deliver a 100% fibre broadband network to Newbridge, Naas, Sallins, Johnstown and Kill. The existence of leading communications infrastructure is vital to businesses in both these towns, supporting their future growth and development. The Chamber’s vision is to make Kildare the location of choice for existing and potential business enterprise. SIRO’s arrival will ensure that this vision is further cemented and we can continue to seek to attract businesses to invest in these towns. “County Kildare Chamber continues to call for investment in broadband infrastructure. Ireland currently has the second slowest broadband speeds in Europe. This investment will ensure that businesses become more competitive and the need now is to ensure that all towns in Kildare can access high quality broadband.” Stephen O’Connor, Director of Corporate Affairs at SIRO, said: “SIRO’s network which is 100% fibre optic, without the need for copper, will deliver a 1 Gigabit connection directly to these homes and businesses in Newbridge, Naas, Sallins, Johnstown and Kill. This will have a digital transformation on these towns and villages, enabling businesses to compete online with their international peers, as well as giving residents access to the latest online services in areas like education and remote working. Having the same Gigabit connectivity as a city like Tokyo will futureproof Newbridge, Naas, Sallins, Johnstown and Kill’s digital demands for decades to come.” SIRO’s Fibre-to-the-Building technology is recognised as the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally. This means that the internet experience of Kildare will be transformed, catapulting towns and villages in the county into the international leagues for broadband connectivity creating a platform for future economic development in the region. Using the existing ESB network, SIRO delivers fibre optic cables all the way to the building. This technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Building, has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit speeds. For context, downloading a high definition (HD) film of 4 GB (Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection takes an hour - with SIRO it takes 30 seconds. SIRO is offered on an open-access basis to all telecoms retailers in Ireland. SIRO has formed partnerships with Vodafone, Digiweb, Carnsore Broadband, WestNet, Rocket Broadband, Kerry Broadband, Sky Ireland and Airwire, and with more retailers expected to come on board as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market. The SIRO network now covers 120,000 premises, with services now live or under construction in 25 towns across the country including Dundalk, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Cavan, Wexford, Skibbereen, Drogheda, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Ennis, Castlebar, Westport, Limerick, Newbridge, Carlow, Swords, Balbriggan, Bray, Greystones, Athlone, Killarney, Shannon and Mallow.

Minister Naughten Reveals That 8,000 Athlone Homes & Businesses To Have Access to SIRO’s Gigabit Broadband Network

Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment Denis Naughten TD provided an update today on SIRO’s rollout at an event in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel in association with Athlone Chamber of Commerce. Minister Naughten outlined that 8,000 homes and businesses in Athlone will have access to SIRO’s 1 Gigabit broadband network, as well as revealing Airwire as SIRO’s broadband retail partner. Airwire was established in the start of 2006 with the aim of providing broadband to areas in the West of Ireland which were previously underserved. The Kinvara, Co. Galway based company with offices in Athlone will begin to offer services in the town in Spring 2018, as well as offering broadband powered by SIRO in Ennis, Limerick and Portlaoise, with more towns added to its rollout over the coming months. Customers interested in availing of Airwires’s SIRO powered broadband can log onto Airwire.ie with packages available from €50.00 a month. SIRO’s rollout in Athlone has commenced in the Bushfield/Cornamaddy/Woodville estates (Blackberry Lane, Drunnaconn, The Orchard and Coill Ur) and in the Garrycastle and Monksland areas. When construction is completed by the end of Spring 2018 approximately 8,000 homes and business premises in Athlone will have access to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network. As SIRO is an open access wholesale provider, customers will purchase broadband services from one of SIRO’s retail partners such as Airwire, Vodafone or Sky. Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment Denis Naughten TD said: “Access to Gigabit connectivity will provide an important boost to Athlone and the surrounding area, who will now be able to take advantage of the same high-speed broadband as leading international hubs such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. It is also fantastic to see Airwire able to take advantage of SIRO’s services and offer broadband packages in the community. Today’s announcement forms part of the Government strategy that I am overseeing to give every premise in Ireland access to high-speed broadband as quickly as possible through a combination of commercial and State-led investment.” Commenting on the announcement, Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, said: “We’re delighted to unveil Airwire as our latest retail partner, giving residents and businesses more choice to experience SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity, which is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and 10 times as powerful as the average service in Ireland. As our eighth retailer, this Airwire partnership is indicative of how SIRO is driving competition in the broadband market, with more partners due to begin offering services over the coming months.” Martin List-Petersen, CTO of Airwire, added: “We have always believed that people living in regional Ireland should have access to broadband of the same quality available to living in cities. Thanks to SIRO, our customers will now be guaranteed the best broadband in the country, delivered at the speed of light, using SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network. Rather than having to invest millions in building our own fibre network, we now have access to the best technology in the country, which gives us a great opportunity to attract new customers. As SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network is future proofed, it’s the only broadband service people in Athlone will ever need, a prospect I am very excited about personally as a fellow Athlone resident.” SIRO’s 100% fibre optic network is unprecedented in Ireland. Its Fibre-to-the-Building technology, with no copper at any point to slow it down, is recognised as the gold standard for broadband connectivity internationally. For context, downloading a high definition (HD) film of 4 GB (Gigabytes) with a 10 Mbps connection takes an hour – with SIRO it takes 30 seconds. Using the existing ESB network, SIRO delivers fibre optic cables all the way to the building. This technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Building, has no copper connections at any point to slow down the network and delivers 1 Gigabit speeds. The SIRO network now covers 120,000 premises, with services now live or under construction in 25 towns across the country including Dundalk, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee, Cavan, Wexford, Skibbereen, Drogheda, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Ennis, Castlebar, Westport, Limerick, Newbridge, Carlow, Swords, Balbriggan, Bray, Greystones, Athlone, Killarney, Shannon and Mallow. SIRO is offered on an open-access basis to all telecoms retailers in Ireland, with Airwire, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Carnsore Broadband, Rocket Broadband, WestNet and Kerry Broadband all already offering services, along with partnerships with enet and BT as SIRO drives competition in the wholesale broadband market.