How High-Quality Fibre Connectivity Can Reduce Operational Risk In Financial Services

Ireland’s financial services sector is entering a new phase of regulatory scrutiny under the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Since coming into force in January 2025, the regulation has made digital resilience a legal requirement for banks, insurers, payment providers and investment firms operating across the EU. At its core, DORA recognises a simple reality: financial stability now depends on the strength of the technology infrastructure supporting everyday operations. For financial organisations, compliance is no longer about policies or reporting frameworks. It is about ensuring the systems that underpin payments, trading platforms, customer services and internal operations can continue functioning during disruption. That places connectivity firmly on the agenda for leadership teams. Modern financial services are built on continuous access to cloud platforms, data centres, real-time analytics tools and third-party ICT providers. Whether supporting transaction processing, regulatory reporting or hybrid workforces, these services rely on stable, high-capacity connections. Full fibre broadband provides the reliability and performance required to support these environments in ways legacy copper networks cannot. DORA specifically strengthens requirements around ICT risk management and third-party dependencies. Many firms now rely on external providers for critical services, from hosted infrastructure to cybersecurity platforms and payment technologies. If connectivity between a firm and its providers is constrained or unstable, resilience planning becomes significantly more difficult. Fibre connectivity helps ensure consistent performance across these interconnected systems and reduces the risk of disruption at a local operational level. The regulation also introduces more rigorous expectations around incident detection, response and recovery. Financial institutions must demonstrate they can continue operating through outages and cyber events and restore services quickly if disruption occurs. This requires infrastructure that supports rapid failover, secure remote access and uninterrupted communication between teams and systems. Fibre networks are designed to deliver the stability and scalability needed to meet these expectations. Events such as the global CrowdStrike outage in 2024 highlighted how quickly ICT failures can ripple across financial systems. In a sector where downtime can affect markets, customers and counterparties simultaneously, connectivity resilience is no longer a background consideration. It is part of operational risk management. As financial institutions continue strengthening their operational resilience frameworks, connectivity should be recognised as a core part of compliance readiness rather than a background technical consideration. Full fibre connectivity provides the reliability, scalability and performance needed to support these requirements, helping organisations reduce risk exposure and maintain continuity. For financial businesses operating in Ireland, ensuring access to high-quality fibre infrastructure is a practical step toward supporting resilient, compliant and future-ready operations. SIRO has responded to the growing connectivity and resilience requirements facing financial services organisations by offering affordable enterprise-class fibre connectivity solutions delivered over its 100% fibre network. SIRO’s enterprise FTTP services provide dedicated symmetrical fibre connections, meaning upload and download speeds are equal, supporting faster cloud backups, secure access to cloud-based platforms, seamless video conferencing through platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and the reliable movement of data between offices, remote teams and third-party ICT providers. Designed to support operational resilience and business continuity, SIRO’s enterprise fibre services are backed by a robust seven-day enterprise-class service level agreement (SLA) and are delivered across the ESB infrastructure, providing a fully diverse network presence. Businesses can choose from symmetrical speeds ranging from 100Mb/s to 5Gb/s, with the ability to upgrade remotely as operational requirements evolve. SIRO also offers LightPulse, a full fibre product tailored for SMEs, providing 1 Gigabit download speeds and boosted 250 Megabit upload speeds alongside a service level agreement designed to support continuity of service.   To learn more about broadband, visit www.SIRO.ie and search your Eircode today to find out if SIRO is available for your business.

A nationwide survey of schools across Ireland has found that an increasing number no longer want pesticides used on school grounds, with almost half banning the use of pesticides. Key drivers for this ban include a concern for the health of students and staff on ground schools and a strong desire to protect the biodiversity which live and use the school outdoor environment. A survey on the use of pesticides on school grounds carried out by Biodiversity in Schools and responded to by 158 schools found that 49.4% of respondents reported avoiding pesticides entirely, while many others said they were actively reassessing spraying practices and exploring alternative methods of weed and grounds management. At the same time, some schools acknowledged that moving away from pesticides can create tensions within school communities, particularly where there are differing views around maintenance or concerns around additional workloads. Several respondents noted that clearer national guidance from the Department of Education and stronger top-down support for pollinator-friendly management practices would help schools transition more confidently away from spraying. The findings come as Ireland marks World Bee Day 2026 on 20 May, a day celebrated globally which aims to raise awareness about the critical role bees and other pollinators play in sustaining ecosystems, ensuring food security, and protecting biodiversity. The survey was carried out as part of the Pollinator Project, a nationwide initiative delivered by Biodiversity in Schools in partnership with fibre broadband operator SIRO. The online survey sought to better understand current spraying practices and attitudes towards pesticide-free school management across Ireland. Schools that reported avoiding pesticides pointed to a wide range of alternative approaches already being used successfully. Of the schools that said they do not use pesticides, 44% referenced manual methods such as hand-weeding, strimming, power washing and moss removal as their primary approach to grounds management. A further 15 % highlighted the use of organic solutions, including vinegar, garlic, bread soda and coffee grounds, while 22% pointed to longer-term preventative measures such as companion planting, bark mulch, weed membrane, strategic plant selection and low-maintenance garden layouts designed to naturally reduce weed growth. The remaining respondents reported avoiding pesticides altogether but did not specify the methods used. Many respondents also highlighted the important role school caretakers, gardening clubs and wider school communities play in helping drive biodiversity-friendly change. Schools noted that committed caretakers were often central to successfully reducing or eliminating sprays, particularly where additional maintenance or alternative approaches were required. Additionally, a strong theme to emerge from the survey results was the work underway by school leaders to change people's mindsets and attitudes towards weeds or wildflowers to view them as something positive and beneficial vs. a nuisance. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), pesticides are a major source of environmental pollution, contaminating soil, water and air while contributing to biodiversity loss. The Pollinator Project, which is sponsored by leading Irish broadband operator SIRO, supports schools across Ireland in creating pollinator-friendly habitats through actions such as developing no-mow meadows, planting pollinator-friendly flowers and encouraging biodiversity education within school communities. Biodiversity in Schools CEO, Mark Nolan commented:

“These findings are positive in that they show that almost half of schools surveyed have moved away from using pesticides. However, with a considerable number still using these pesticides, it highlights the work needed to remove these chemicals entirely from all Irish school grounds. This survey also highlights the additional measures that needed to make our school environment pesticide free. These include greater awareness amongst school management and parent associations of the risk’s pesticides pose to humans and nature; greater information amongst school decisionmakers on what the biodiversity friendly alternatives to pesticides are and finally, more advice and practical supports from Government Departments to schools on how to become pesticide free.”

SIRO Director of Corporate Affairs, Amanda Glancy noted:

“SIRO is pleased to support the ongoing work of Biodiversity in Schools in protecting and enhancing the natural environment in and around Irish schools. With both World Bee Day and it also being National Biodiversity Week taking stock of attitudes towards pesticides is important. The survey shows many schools are conscious of the importance of protecting biodiversity and more encouragingly taking positive actions to achieve it. The message from the survey is clear. A lot of schools are working to eliminate pesticides in school grounds, and many others want to do so but need the confidence, advice and encouragement from stakeholders to do so.”

Broadband network operator, SIRO, has today announced that its fibre-to-the-premise broadband network (full fibre) has now passed 700,000 premises and is available in towns and cities in every county in Ireland (Republic). Today’s milestone of its network reaching 700,000 premises is part of a wider national objective of creating a full fibre Ireland by 2028. However, with more than 85% of all Irish premises now able to access full fibre broadband, SIRO has called for the switching off Ireland’s existing, outdated copper broadband network to be fast-tracked. The 700,000th premises passed by SIRO’s network is Bray-based print and embroidery specialist, Visual Print. The company was established in 2001 and offers a wide range of printing services, catering to both small and large volume orders. It specialises in direct screen printing, DTF printing and garment embroidery, operating from two warehouse in the Solus Industrial Estate in Bray, employing a staff of 11. Fibre broadband connectivity is a critical enabler of Visual Print’s operations used for transferring large design files, online ordering platforms, maintaining networked printers and Cloud-based print management. While Visual Print has switched off its copper-based broadband and moved to SIRO’s full fibre broadband, a worrying high number of Irish businesses are yet to make the move. Comreg data indicates that only 12% of business using broadband have a full fibre connection. Fibre to the Premise broadband is accepted as offering faster speeds and a more reliable and resilient connection than copper which can be slower, less dependable and more vulnerable to both storms and cybersecurity issues. Switching off Ireland’s existing, outdated copper broadband network will ensure the national standard of connectivity enjoys greater resiliency, is future-proofed, and better equipped to support Ireland withstand challenges such as climate change or the impacts of the current global energy crisis. The process of copper switch off is gathering pace across Europe, with switch off completed or well advanced in France, Spain and Sweden and the U.K.’s commencing next January. However, Ireland does not yet have a national target date for when switch off will start or complete, even though the conditions for beginning the process now exist. This continued reliance on a broadband technology no longer fit for purpose, notwithstanding full fibre alternatives, leave Irish businesses exposed in areas such as the adoption of AI and other new technologies, productivity and profitability. Commenting on Visual Print’s recent connection to SIRO’s network, Paul Doyle, Managing Director of Visual Print, said:

“Since establishing Visual Print more than twenty-five years ago, we have continued to invest in our equipment, facilities and services to ensure we can meet the needs of our customers as the business has grown. With SIRO’s fibre broadband, we have seen a significant improvement in how we manage and process orders internally. Faster, more reliable connectivity has streamlined communication between our team, improved file handling and workflow efficiency, and allows us to provide quicker updates and more accurate lead times to our customers. This has had a direct and positive impact on both our productivity and overall customer experience”

Commenting on the milestone, John Keaney, SIRO CEO, said:

“Our network now reaching more than 700,000 homes and businesses is another significant milestone for SIRO, while also actively contributing to the overall national objective of a full fibre Gigabit Ireland by 2028. Reliable and future proofed full fibre broadband connectivity is a key foundation for the continued growth and productivity of Irish business. As Visual Print’s experience demonstrates, switching off copper and switching on to fibre broadband, delivers tangible benefits for Irish business. Equally, as the global energy crisis continues, more businesses and their employees will look to work and collaborate online to reduce high energy costs, requiring stable, dependable fibre broadband and a conscious move away from outdated copper-based technologies. Government have the capacity to act by setting an ambitious target date for completing copper switch off, such as 2030, and using levers at its disposal to encourage switch off. With key stakeholders already indicating a willingness to collectively work together, a real opportunity now exists to achieve it,” added Mr. Keaney.

SIRO was founded in 2015, as a joint venture between ESB and SIRO, and since then it has been building its full fibre broadband network across 153 towns and cities.

The Pollinator Project, a schools-based initiative raising awareness of the importance of pollinators (insects, birds and mammals) and how they can be protected, was officially launched today by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton T.D. The launch took place at St. Patrick’s National School in Galway City which last year won the Pollinator Project’s, Golden Bee Award, in recognition of its work to protect pollinators on its school grounds. The project, delivered by Biodiversity in Schools, Ireland’s biodiversity education organisation for young people, in partnership with fibre broadband operator SIRO, works with schools across Ireland to train students as Pollinator Ambassadors and support them in delivering bee-positive actions such as creating ‘no-mow’ meadows and reducing the use of sprays on school grounds. Participating schools and students receive practical supports including educational resources, such as biodiversity kits and training from biodiversity experts over the course of the programme, which runs across several months during the school year. Since 2023, the project has engaged more than 144,000 students from early years education through to primary and post-primary schools nationwide. During this time, over 16,000 students have also received specialised training to become Pollinator Ambassadors within their school communities, helping to lead biodiversity actions among their peers. The initiative is also leaving a visible and lasting impact on school environments across the country. Over 600 no-mow meadows have been created during the critical spring-to-early summer period for pollinators, replacing traditional short-cut lawns with thriving habitats that continue to support biodiversity long after the programme ends. Students have also planted more than 32,000 pollinator-friendly sunflowers, transforming school gardens, courtyards and outdoor learning spaces into vibrant sources of food for bees and other pollinators. Building on three years of increasing impact, the Pollinator Project in 2026 will expand its reach once again, offering free pollinator toolkits, classroom resources and educational workshops again to pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, and now also to homeschooling groups nationwide. With applications now open, schools across Ireland are invited to take part and join a nationwide movement that is reshaping school grounds into living spaces for nature and inspiring young people to play an active role in protecting biodiversity. [caption id="attachment_12014" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister for Education and Youth on a visit to St Patrick’s National School, Galway to launch The Pollinator Project.[/caption]   Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., noted:

“It has been so heartening to see so many pupils and students across Ireland stepping up as leaders and changemakers in their school communities over the past few years, helping to protect pollinators and raise awareness of their importance. Pupils like those at St. Patrick’s National School have shown their creativity and commitment to supporting nature and the world around us through the many bee-positive actions they have delivered as part of The Pollinator Project. As Minister for Education and Youth, I am committed to supporting initiatives promoting Education for Sustainable Development as part of the department’s strategy to contribute to a more sustainable future. I am so pleased, therefore, to launch The Pollinator Project for 2026 and would like to encourage all schools across Ireland to consider applying to take part and join the nationwide movement supporting young people to play an active role in protecting biodiversity.”

Director of Biodiversity in Schools, Mark Nolan stated:

“The most encouraging part of the Project after three years is that schools are not just taking part, they are changing how they use their space. We are seeing corners, courtyards and lawns permanently reimagined as habitats. When children see pollinators return to areas, they have planted themselves, it changes how they understand nature. That sense of ownership and responsibility does not disappear at the end of a school year.”

SIRO CEO John Keaney stated:

“Sustainable change takes time, and the impact we are now seeing from this project is the result of consistent, practical action in schools across the country. SIRO is an Irish company building a broadband network which reaches into communities across Ireland, so we are pleased to further support these areas by helping to protect the habitats within them. “The habitats created through this project remain in place, and the learning continues long after the project has formally closed each year. This lasting and ongoing impact is what makes the Pollinator Project so powerful.”

John Keaney, SIRO CEO and Amanda Bone, Home of the Year judge.

One of Ireland's favourite lifestyle shows Home of the Year, returns for its 12th series and will be proudly sponsored by SIRO. The brand-new series will air on RTÉ One in an earlier slot of 7pm on Tuesday, 3 March. SIRO and RTÉ Media Sales wish to acknowledge the passing of Hugh Wallace. Hugh had been a cherished judge on the programme since its inception, and he will be fondly remembered for his warmth, generosity of spirit, and gentle humour, as well as for the special connection he formed with viewers over the years. Series 12 of Home of the Year was completed prior to his passing. The sponsorship deal includes a total of 96 SIRO-credited stings airing across RTÉ One and RTÉ One+1, including series repeats, live broadcasts and catch-up viewing on RTÉ Player. The SIRO sponsor logo will also feature on all dedicated television and social media promotional materials Home of the Year will feature 21 stunning homes in the counties of Armagh, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Mayo, Roscommon and Wicklow. From reimagined semi-detached houses to restored period homes to architectural new builds, the series promises to inspire viewers with a diverse range of design styles and creativity from across the country. Award-winning architect Amanda Bone of DTA Architects returns for her sixth series as a judge, and award-winning interior consultant Siobhán Lam, founder of April and the Bear, for her second series. Each week, the judges will visit three exceptional homes and score them out of 10 based on individuality, functionality, and clever design. The home with the highest combined score in each episode will advance to the grand final in April, where one lucky homeowner will be crowned the winner.   John Keaney, SIRO CEO said:

““SIRO is pleased to partner with RTÉ on the new season of Home of the Year. The series celebrates creativity, innovation and high-quality design, values which mirror SIRO’s own mission to deliver excellence in broadband connectivity to Irish homes, businesses and communities. Whether working from home, streaming and gaming, or video calling SIRO’s fibre broadband brings people together. Over the next 8 weeks, we are excited to watch Home of the Year also create connections as viewers across Ireland tune in to see the fabulous homes featured and pick their favourites across the series. This series, the last to feature Hugh Wallace, highlights the significant contribution he made to the show over the years and the huge loss his passing is for his family and friends.”

Caroline Shesgreen, Business Director at Dentsu Ireland said:

“We are delighted to have secured the sponsorship of Home of the Year for our client, SIRO. Aligning SIRO’s fibre broadband with such a contextually relevant and much-loved programme represents a powerful strategic fit. With the programme’s highly engaged and loyal audience, this partnership provides an ideal platform to showcase SIRO’s high quality broadband to viewers who value both exceptional homes and exceptional connectivity. As the show continues, it does so honouring the legacy of Hugh Wallace, whose creativity and warmth were central to its appeal.”

Ruth Kennedy, Sponsorship Manager, RTÉ, said:

“RTÉ Media Sales is delighted to welcome SIRO as sponsors of Home of the Year. This upcoming series marks the final appearance of beloved judge Hugh Wallace, who had been part of the programme since its inception. Hugh will be deeply remembered for his warmth and compassion, his sharp intellect, and his remarkable expertise, along with the genuine connection he created with audiences across Ireland. The popular series, which showcases stunning Irish homes from around the country, continues to attract a loyal weekly audience of over 300,000 viewers. This partnership provides SIRO with a meaningful opportunity to connect with homeowners and viewers through a programme that celebrates the very best of Irish homes.”

Amanda Bone, Home of the Year judge and Marianne Murphy, SIRO Head of Marketing.

 

Broadband network operator, SIRO, has concluded an agreement with broadband retailer, Imagine, which will give the retailer access to SIRO’s full fibre network. The deal will allow Imagine to sell fibre broadband products and services to over 700,000 residential consumers across Ireland who have existing access to the SIRO network. SIRO’s network now reaches over 150 towns and cities in every county in Ireland as it continues to roll out its network. As a wholesale network operator, SIRO partners with broadband retailers, such as Imagine, who resell its network to residential and business customers. The agreement enhances Imagine’s offering to provide an extensive fibre to the home (FTTH) network across Ireland and complements their ambitious plans to significantly grow its customer base. In addition to providing access to SIRO’s fibre network, new and existing Imagine customers will enjoy SIRO’s high-quality, high-speed fibre broadband offering speeds of up to 5 gigabits for residential consumers. SIRO’s broadband network is built with a capacity of up to 25 gigabits, ensuring that it is primed and future proofed to meet bandwidth requirements as they grow over time.

Thursday 5th February 2026; Glena Brady, Imagine Chief Commercial Officer and Ronan Whelan, SIRO Chief Commercial Officer at the Siro Imagine Partnership Announcement, Dublin.

  Commenting on the agreement, SIRO Chief Commercial Officer Ronan Whelan noted that:

““Today’s partnership is good news for Imagine customers, ensuring they can enjoy SIRO’s fast, reliable and trusted fibre broadband. As a leading Irish fibre broadband operator, SIRO has a track record of partnering with retailers to provide high quality broadband services to consumers. We are pleased to continue this approach with Imagine. It has a strong reputation for customer service and excellence, and this aligns with SIRO’s value of prioritising and delivering for end users.”

Imagine Commercial Director, Glenda Brady stated that:

“This partnership with SIRO allows Imagine to bring high-quality full-fibre broadband into more towns and cities across Ireland, complementing our existing network and expanding our footprint so we can double our customer base. For us, fibre isn’t just about faster speeds; it is about doing broadband properly and giving Irish people a genuine alternative. Customers want reliability, clarity and pricing they can trust, not short-term deals that change after a year. At Imagine, we’ve taken a long-term view. Our fibre plans come with one clear price, frozen until the end of 2030, and the flexibility to leave anytime. Partnering with SIRO means we can extend that approach to more homes and businesses, giving people access to fast, dependable fibre without the uncertainty that has come to define the market.”

SIRO, Ireland’s leading 100% fibre broadband network operator, is pleased to announce that its full fibre network will go live for homes and businesses across Ashford in County Wicklow by the end of this month.  As part of the latest phase of the rollout, 512 homes in Ashford will be able to connect to SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband, bringing fast, reliable, and future-proof broadband connectivity to the local community.  The areas going live include, but are not limited to: Ashford Down, Meadow View, The Avenue, The Birches, The Glen, The Green, The Hazels, The Way, The Walk, The Views, The Close, The Court, Rosana Close, Milltown Lane, Ballinahinch Park, The Birches, and Meadow View.  This expansion is part of SIRO’s continued investment in County Wicklow, where its full fibre network has now passed 27,800 premises reaching almost 80,000 people. SIRO’s broadband network is already live in multiple Wicklow towns, including Arklow, Blessington, Bray, Greystones, Kilcoole and Wicklow town, enhancing digital access and choice for communities across the county.  SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband brings speeds capable of supporting modern digital needs, from seamless remote working and online learning to ultra-fast streaming and smart home connectivity. As a wholesale open-access network, customers in Ashford can choose from a range of leading broadband providers offering services over SIRO’s network including Vodafone, Sky, Virgin Media, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Blacknight. 

“We’re delighted to bring SIRO’s fibre broadband to homes and businesses in Ashford. This rollout reflects our commitment to delivering future-ready connectivity to communities right across Wicklow and Ireland. High-quality broadband is essential for everyday life, and we look forward to supporting even more people experience the benefits of full fibre,” said John Keaney, Chief Executive Officer, SIRO.

To check whether your home or business can connect, and to see which providers are available in your area, search your Eircode at SIRO.ie  

Applications are now open for the 2026 SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative, as the programme marks its 10th anniversary and celebrates a decade of connectivity support for 25 digital and remote working hubs across Ireland.  The Initiative was launched in 2016 with the objective of supporting digital and remote working hubs by providing them with best-in-class fibre connectivity to ensure that hubs can provide their end-users with high quality, reliable and future-proofed Gigabit broadband.   Skibbereen’s, Ludgate Hub, was the first Hub to join the Initiative. Over the decade since, the Ludgate Hub has thrived and continues to work with start-ups, businesses, entrepreneurs' community to underpin their development and wider regional economic growth.   SIRO broadband connectivity across 25 hubs has consistently highlighted how high-capacity, reliable broadband has underpinned their ability to support data-intensive work, collaborate with remote teams, host workshops and events, and provide stable digital environments for early-stage businesses, entrepreneurs, and remote workers.   Over the past decade, the Gigabit Hub Initiative has supported a diverse range of regional enterprise and remote working hubs across Ireland.   These include The Mill in Drogheda, the town’s first purpose-built innovation hub supporting enterprise across South Louth and East Meath; THE CUBE in Portlaoise, a Low Carbon Centre of Excellence dedicated to supporting the transition to a sustainable economy in County Laois; CREW Digital, an enterprise space for businesses in the creative and digital sectors; MERITS, an innovation think space advancing digital and technology innovation in Naas; and Inishowen Innovation, which plays a key role in fostering entrepreneurship and technological advancement in the Inishowen Peninsula and the wider North-West region.   Together, these hubs reflect the breadth of industries supported through the Initiative, spanning technology, creative enterprise, sustainability and community-led innovation.  John Keaney, CEO of SIRO, commented:

“A decade on, regional digital and remote working hubs have become magnets for collaboration, innovation, and opportunity. Reliable fibre broadband has been a foundation beneath that evolution. We are proud to have partnered with hubs that are deeply rooted in their communities and committed to enabling others to thrive.  Our focus for this year is clear: continue to empower hubs that drive innovation, connection, and opportunity for their communities. With the application process now open to be the next hub in this Initiative, I encourage interested hubs to apply..”

Sabrina Casalta, Vodafone Ireland CEO, added:

“For communities and local businesses across Ireland, the SIROVodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative has become a real catalyst for rural progress. When hubs gain access to dependable, highcapacity fibre, it lifts the entire local economy, supporting small businesses to grow, enabling startups to innovate, and helping people build meaningful careers without leaving their own community – ensuring no one is left behind. Over ten years, we’ve seen the initiative strengthen regional resilience, unlock new opportunities, and ensure that innovation isn’t limited to major cities. As we look to the next decade, it’s vital that futureproof, sustainable access is available everywhere in the country, so every community can participate fully in Ireland’s digital future.  This progress aligns with the Irish Government’s evolving ambitions under the next iteration of ‘Our Rural Future’, while also ensuring that worldclass connectivity becomes a catalyst for stronger local economies, sustainable growth, and vibrant community life across rural Ireland. As applications open for 2026, we’re committed to investing and backing more hubs that are driving ambition, creativity and economic growth in their communities.”

The application process for the Gigabit Hub Initiative is now open. Further information about the Initiative and how to apply can be found at The Gigabit Hub Initiative - SIRO.ie

Over 1,000 premises to go live by the end of the rollout. SIRO, the 100% fibre broadband network operator, today announced that its network is now live in Moate, delivering future-proof connectivity to homes and businesses across the town.  A total of 908 premises in Moate can now connect to SIRO’s 100% fibre network, with a further 220 premises to be completed by March 2026 as part of the company’s ongoing rollout.  Areas in Moate where SIRO’s fibre broadband is now available include, but are not limited to: Mount Carmel Drive, Ard Grainne, Clibborne Way, Station Road, Saint Patrick’s Crescent, Cartron Keel, The Newtown, Main Street, Ave Maria Park, Abbeygrange, Cartron Grange, The Turnpike, Dublin Road, Weavers Row, College Court, Sliabh Rua, Toorvalley, Clara Road, Coillin Búi and Cois na hAbhainn.  This latest deployment forms part of SIRO’s wider investment in County Westmeath, where the company has now passed almost 19,000 premises with fibre broadband. SIRO’s network is already live in other towns across the county, including Athlone, Kinnegad and Mullingar. More broadly across the Midlands, SIRO continues to expand its footprint, with 16,300 premises passed in Laois, close to 5,000 in Longford, and almost 11,000 in Offaly, further strengthening the region’s digital infrastructure.  SIRO is investing over €1 billion in building Ireland’s most advanced fibre broadband network, enabling reliable, gigabit-speed connectivity nationwide. The company’s network is built on 100% fibre technology, ensuring customers benefit from greater reliability, faster speeds, and long-term capacity to support the growing digital needs of homes and businesses.  [caption id="attachment_11695" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Sunset in Moate Co Westmeath Ireland[/caption] Commenting on the announcement, SIRO John Keaney said:

“Joining the 30% Club marks a significant milestone in SIRO’s ongoing commitment to building an inclusive and forward-thinking organisation. Diversity isn’t just a value for us; it’s a driver of creativity and resilience in a rapidly evolving telecoms sector. At SIRO, we’re proud of the progress so far but we recognise that real change is ongoing and we’re eager to work with the 30% Club to keep pushing boundaries.”

SIRO is a wholesaler, so homes  and businesses in Moate can order SIRO-powered broadband through the company’s numerous retail partners including Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky and  Digiweb. To check availability and learn more, visit SIRO.ie. 

SIRO has become the latest organisation to join the 30% Club, reinforcing its commitment to advancing gender balance in leadership. As a leading Irish wholesale fibre broadband network provider, SIRO is now part of a global campaign driven by Board Chairs and CEOs who share a common goal: achieving greater gender diversity at senior levels and across organisations to deliver stronger business outcomes. Formed 10 years ago as a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, SIRO was the first company to roll out a full fibre network in Ireland. Today, SIRO has grown to become the second-largest fibre broadband network in the country, reaching almost 700,000 premises across 145 towns and cities in every county. SIRO continues to expand its network, adding thousands of new premises each month and works with more than 20 retail partners, including Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky and Digiweb, to deliver high-speed connectivity to homes and businesses nationwide. SIRO’s membership of the 30% Club demonstrates its strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The company has a proven track record of promoting gender diversity in a traditionally male-dominated telecoms industry. Today, 57% of SIRO’s senior leadership team is female, with both a female Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) The company was also one of the first in Ireland to sign up to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. Internally, SIRO champions gender diversity through its Women and Allies employee resource group and runs programmes such as mentoring, coaching, and return-to-work initiatives targeting women and minority groups. [caption id="attachment_11677" align="aligncenter" width="748"] Pictured are John Keaney, SIRO CEO and Elizabeth Sheehan, 30% Club Country Executive as we proudly announce that SIRO has joined the 30% Club.[/caption]   John Keaney, CEO of SIRO, commented:

“Joining the 30% Club marks a significant milestone in SIRO’s ongoing commitment to building an inclusive and forward-thinking organisation. Diversity isn’t just a value for us; it’s a driver of creativity and resilience in a rapidly evolving telecoms sector. At SIRO, we’re proud of the progress so far but we recognise that real change is ongoing and we’re eager to work with the 30% Club to keep pushing boundaries.”

Elizabeth Sheehan, Country Executive at the 30% Club, added:

“I’m thrilled to have SIRO join the 30% Club community. SIRO’s leadership in Ireland’s digital transformation gives it a unique platform to influence positive change, both within its business and across the telecoms industry. By partnering with SIRO, we can amplify efforts to advance gender balance and create opportunities for women to thrive in leadership roles.” Further benefits of the 30% Club membership include enhanced employee engagement, consumer trust, and access to cross-company mentoring, scholarships, and industry-specific networking events.