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SIRO And Vodafone Announced As Connectivity Partners For Carrickmacross CTEK 2 Enterprise Hub

SIRO and Vodafone have been announced as connectivity partners for Monaghan’s newest enterprise hub, CTEK2. The Carrickmacross enterprise hub was officially opened earlier this month by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D., with representatives from Monaghan County Council, Enterprising Monaghan, elected representatives and other key stakeholders all in attendance. The CTEK2 Hub has now also joined the Gigabit Hub Initiative. The Initiative is a partnership between SIRO and Vodafone, which brings Gigabit Fibre Connectivity to remote working and digital hubs across Ireland. CTEK2 is joining a host of other successful Hubs across Ireland, such as Dundalk’s Creative Spark, Galway’s PorterShed and Skibbereen Ludgate Hub which have already benefitted from the Initiative. CTEK2 is the 24th Hub to join the Initiative. The CTEK2 Hub can now provide businesses and tenants with high-speed, high-quality fibre connectivity, supported by SIRO’s 100% fibre network, which can provide speeds of up to 25 Gigabits,  future proofing the service for decades to come. This means that as the bandwidth and speed needs of Monaghan businesses grow in the years to come the CTEK2 Hub can continue to keep pace with their needs. CTEK2 is already proving hugely popular with the Carrickmacross and wider Monaghan business community, with 11 tenants already availing of the 17 units onsite. The new hub compliments the existing CTEK1 building located next door, which has been open for several years. The new Hub is already supporting 50 jobs. Businesses using the Hub include a home care provider, an accountancy firm, an executive car rental company and physical therapist, among others. Overall, the 1,450-square-meter facility supports regional talent retention, provides a work base for former commuters, and attracts start-ups from Monaghan and surrounding counties. Offering a range of office options, from hot desks to private spaces, CTEK2 is designed to meet the needs of various users, from solo entrepreneurs to established enterprises. Its extensive facilities, including ample parking and kitchen spaces, allowing tenants to work in a flexible, professional environment close to home. As CTEK2 continues to grow, it plans to host community events and offer further professional development opportunities, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for local business success and innovation. SIRO is  a leading full fibre broadband operator rolling out a 100% fibre broadband network across Ireland. Its network is currently available in Carrickmacross and Monaghan town. Robert Burns, CEO of Monaghan County Council stated:
“Supporting innovation and driving economic growth in the region are top priorities for Monaghan County Council. We are confident that the partnership between SIRO and Vodafone will significantly advance these goals. The Gigabit Hub Initiative, with its provision of high-speed connectivity, will foster the development of new businesses in the Carrickmacross area and promote sustainable job creation throughout the region.”
John Keaney, SIRO Chief Executive Officer said:
"We’re pleased to partner with Monaghan County Council to bring Gigabit connectivity to CTEK2, a vital addition to Carrickmacross that supports local business growth and job creation. Through the Gigabit Hub Initiative, we are committed to empowering business communities across Ireland by providing the high-speed, reliable infrastructure they need to innovate, attract talent, and expand into new markets. CTEK2 is an excellent example of how world-class connectivity can drive regional economic growth, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the local community."
Amanda Nelson, Vodafone Ireland CEO commented:
“Vodafone is pleased to partner with Enterprising Monaghan to provide 100% fibre broadband at their new Carrickmacross facility as part of our Gigabit Hub Initiative. This high-speed connectivity will serve as an asset for the facility’s thriving community of businesses, start-ups, and remote professionals, enabling them with the digital infrastructure essential for growth and success, both locally and beyond.”
Find out more about CTEK I & 2 at www.enterprisingmonaghan.ie
SIRO, Ireland’s leading fibre broadband network operator, is excited to announce the continued expansion of its high-speed broadband service in Cork, with new premises now live in Crosshaven. This latest development ensures that more homes and businesses in the area can now access fast and reliable broadband.  To date, SIRO has passed 403 premises in Crosshaven, covering areas such as Drakes Point and Brightwater. An additional 186 premises in Church Bay are set to be connected in December as the rollout continues.  Residents and businesses in Crosshaven can order SIRO broadband through one of its retail partners, including Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Blacknight Solutions, and Fastcom.  SIRO’s network continues to grow across Cork County, where 85,553 premises have already been connected. To end 2024, a further 3,600 homes and businesses are forecast to gain access to SIRO’s ultrafast fibre broadband across the county.   Towns already benefiting from SIRO’s service include Ballincollig, Bandon, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Little Island, Mallow, Midleton, Skibbereen, and Youghal. Additional towns, such as Kinsale and Cobh, are expected to go live later this year.  This expansion is part of SIRO’s broader national rollout, which aims to pass over 700,000 premises by 2026. More than 600,000 homes and businesses in 135 towns and cities across Ireland are already connected, all part of SIRO’s €1 billion investment to provide future-proof broadband infrastructure across the country.  Commenting on the rollout, SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney said: 
“We’re excited to bring our full fibre network to Crosshaven, ensuring that residents and businesses have access to the high-speed broadband needed to keep up with modern demands. Whether it’s for remote working, education, or entertainment, a reliable connection essential, and we’re committed to delivering it. Our expansion in Cork is part of SIRO’s broader mission to bring future-proof connectivity to communities across Ireland, helping them thrive in today’s digital world.”
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SIRO, Ireland’s leading fibre broadband network operator, is pleased to announce that the first homes in Skerries can now connect to its 100% fibre broadband network. This development brings fast and reliable broadband to Skerries, supporting the growing demand for high-speed connectivity in the area.  With 1,587 premises set to go live, residents and businesses in Skerries will be able to place orders starting in mid-October, as SIRO also continues to expand its full fibre broadband network to new developments in the town.   The areas included in this phase of the rollout cover key parts of the town including, but not limited to: Brookville Lane, Cabra Hill, Church Street, Convent Lane, Golf Links Road, Harbour Road, Holmpatrick, Little Strand Street, Marywell, Miller's Lane, Millview, South Strand, Strand Street, The Cross, The Hoar Rock, The Kybe, The Square, Thomas Hand Street, Balbriggan Road, Barnageeragh Road, Dublin Road, Fulmar, Garganey, Guillemot, Heron, Townparks, Turnstone, Windmill Close, Windmill Court, Windmill Drive, and Windmill View.  This expansion is part of SIRO’s commitment to extending coverage throughout Fingal, where 45,000 premises are already connected. In 2024 and 2025, an additional 1,700 premises in Lusk and surrounding areas are also scheduled to go live. SIRO will also bring its full fibre broadband to new developments in Portmanrock, Donabate, Rush, Skerries, Lusk, Tyrrelstown, Blanchardstown, Ongar, Kellystown, Rathborne, Swords, and Finglas, further strengthening its presence across the region.   SIRO’s ongoing expansion across Ireland is on track to pass over 700,000 premises by 2026, with more than 600,000 premises in 135 towns and cities across the country already connected. This is part of SIRO’s €1 billion investment to deliver future-proofed broadband, ensuring high-speed internet access for everyone, no matter their location.  Commenting on the network rollout, SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney said: 
We’re excited to bring SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband to Skerries, offering reliable, fast broadband to homes and businesses. This rollout gives residents more choice and the opportunity to upgrade from slower, outdated connections to a future-proof network. Our goal is to provide the connectivity that people need to stay connected, work efficiently, and access the full range of digital services, from remote working to streaming and beyond." 
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The latest data published by the telecoms’ regulator, Comreg, have revealed that only 10% of all Irish businesses are using a full fibre broadband connection. Poor connectivity risks undermining efforts for Irish businesses, particularly SMEs, to fully embrace digital technologies, according to broadband operator, SIRO. Comreg has just published its Quarterly Key Data for Q2 2024, covering the three months of April, May and June 2024. This reveals that only 30,788 Irish businesses have moved from outdated broadband technologies such as copper or cable to fast, reliable and future-proofed fibre to the premise (FTTP) broadband. With over 300,000 businesses in Ireland, Comreg’s data indicates only 10% of those businesses are using fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband. In total full fibre (FTTP) broadband is available to 68% of all Irish premises, with 47% of those premises now having an active FTTP connection. Both the level of access to full fibre broadband and take up of this service has grown considerably in recent years as network rollouts accelerate. However, the majority of the take up has been by residential customers with the pace of adaptation not replicated by Irish business. In an EU context, the most recent Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2022 found that Ireland’s take up of fixed broadband was lower than the EU average. Previous research by the European Commission from 2019, noted that the digital economy in Ireland “appears to run at two different speeds, with a small number of multinationals with high digitisation but with indigenous SMEs, slower in leveraging digital solutions to reduce costs, drive innovation and expand their market presence”. The data comes a time when the digitalisation of business, particularly SMEs, is an increasing focus for Government to ensure they remain competitive and sustainable into the future. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has set a national target of 90% of SMEs to reach basic digital intensity by 2030 and to have at least 75% of enterprises using Cloud, AI and Big Data by 2030. SIRO Chief Commercial Officer Ronan Whelan noted:
Households have enthusiastically embraced full fibre broadband as access to fibre networks has expanded across the country, but Comreg’s data shows this has not been replicated amongst Irish businesses to the same extent.Enterprise Ireland has recognised “a key enabler for strong digitalisation is internet reliability.” Full fibre broadband, with greater resilience, greater bandwidth and faster connections speeds, is best placed to meet this requirement.Low levels of business FTTP broadband take-up has consequences. It risks undermining wider national objectives on digitalisation, at a time when the future of small businesses really requires, they embrace digital transformation. “Business representatives, Government and the fibre broadband industry must redouble efforts to more effectively communicate to Irish businesses the relevance and benefits of full fibre broadband to their business. This should include fibre broadband awareness campaigns; ensuring that adequacy of connectivity features on prominently digital fitness checklists; and, that companies are advised on full fibre broadband solutions when availing of State supports,” added Mr. Whelan.
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What have lifts, burglar and fire alarms, car park barriers, health and security monitoring devices, landline phones, boiler controls, CCTV or retail point of sale terminals all got in common? The answer is that many, many of these everyday devices still rely on copper technology to operate. It matters because the process of switching copper technology in Ireland is expected to shortly commence. The process will mean that copper broadband, over the coming years, will be switched off, with consumers and businesses transitioning to fibre broadband – a faster, more reliable, resilient and future proofed technology. As a result, Ireland will experience one of the largest telecommunications’ transformations since Ireland’s first (copper based) telephone exchange opened on Dublin’s Dame Street, with just five subscribers, in 1880. The effects of copper switch off will be larger than just broadband. It will also impact thousands of devices, like those listed above, which still use copper. Once copper is switched off, these devices will need to be upgraded or replaced to continue to operate. At end 2023, the telecoms regulator, Comreg, set out the framework for copper broadband to be phased out. The EU Commission have also called for the Irish process to be accelerated. Equally, it has published a draft deadline of 2030 for all copper broadband to be turned off across the EU.     Transition to Fibre Broadband In Ireland, the commencement of copper switch is linked directly to the successful pace of fibre broadband – with 2-in-3 of all premises now able to access fibre broadband and the remainder on track to do so no later than 2028. In this context, copper switch off must be viewed as a progressive development, albeit one which must be planned for and managed to ensure a positive outcome. With the clock now ticking down to the end of copper, a detailed process plan which engages key stakeholders; quantifies the extent of the impacts from copper switch off; and ensures a smooth transition, protecting end users has yet to emerge. The stakeholder inputs required for a successful copper switch off are wide. They are spread across all broadband operators and retailers providing broadband services, particularly those rolling out fibre; in addition to security, health, business, consumer and community representatives. While older and more vulnerable customers are a priority, so too must be business, particularly small businesses. SIRO’s own research shows SMEs have been the slowest sector to switch to fibre – clinging on, to the detriment of their business to copper and often paying above the odds for their lethargy. Planning for Copper Switch Off Right now, the issue is not one which is part of the public consciousness. That’s not surprising as, to date, we have just a bare regulatory framework setting out the conditions under which switch off process can commence. As we get closer to the first areas being switched off, Government, industry and wider interest groups now need to come together and begin to plan. A desktop analysis by SIRO indicates the wide range of areas that we need to plan for from landlines, burglar alarms, health monitor, lifts, car park barriers to retail terminals. Take just one example, landlines. These will need to migrate to fibre from copper if people want to continue to use them. While many homes now use just their mobile phone, among older generations this is often not the case. For them, the house phone and the landline number they have held for decades, remains the primary means of communication to family and friends. Added to that, many elderly also use their copper landline to support the functioning of independent security and health monitoring devices. The Department of Rural and Community Development, through Pobal, provide 15,000 each year to older people through the Seniors Alert Scheme. The majority remain dependent on copper. Landlines, just one of many examples. The most effective solution lies in encouraging as many people as possible switch to fibre broadband now, and simultaneously upgrading any household or business devices as part of that migration process. That message needs a greater push. The Government is working to a date of 2028 for a fully fibred Ireland. Yet, with over 60% of premises now fibre enabled, less than half have switched to fibre. More proactive initiatives will be required to migrate all householders. This is where a coordinated National Plan for Copper Switch Off, with a strong public communications element, must step into the vacuum. It’s important not to lose sight of the fact that copper switch off is a hugely positive development for Irish consumers and businesses. But copper broadband just doesn’t cut it anymore. It cannot meet the demands now placed upon it in an increasingly digital world. Copper can’t provide the bandwidth or higher speeds; meet the greater data needs; or deliver the security and resiliency requirements that fibre broadband can. A full fibre broadband Ireland will ensure that we have the most advanced connectivity in Europe and globally. It unlocks many of the digital innovations which will significantly improves the lives of individuals and communities in areas such as healthcare, education, climate change and cybersecurity. Copper switch off doesn’t have to be delayed or chaotic but it might be unless we manage this significant technological leap forward in a planned and effective way. To check if your home is on the SIRO network, search your Eircode today. [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]
The installation of a full fibre broadband connection at Skibbereen’s Town Hall, has guaranteed that both Olympic rowing events and screenings as part of the Skibbereen Arts Festival can now go ahead at the building. Bringing a full fibre service to the Town Hall came about late last week, following intense co-operation between the team at Ludgate Hub, fibre broadband operator, SIRO, and Cork County Council. On Thursday last, SIRO stepped in, after a request for support from the team at Ludgate Hub, to bring a fibre broadband connection to Skibbereen’s Town Hall.  SIRO’s high speed, full fibre broadband connection ensures the building can now stream Olympic rowing live from Paris to the town’s residents, and visitors alike, over the coming weeks. In addition, as a focal centre for the Skibbereen Arts Festival which kicked off on Friday last, the Town Hall will also be hosting several film screenings, as part of the wider festival programme. These include the 2016 documentary “Pull Like a Dog” which follows Skibbereen Olympic medallists’, brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan, as they return from the Rio Olympics and the film adaptation of John McGahern’s acclaimed novel “That They May Face the Rising Sun”. With Skibbereen’s Annual Arts Festival taking place from Friday, 26 July to Saturday, 3 August,  festival organisers have installed large screens to live stream both the Olympic rowing events and films and documentaries at the Town Hall, which can hold over 200 people, during the festival. However, organisers found the existing connectivity to the Town Hall did not meet what was required for the live Olympic streaming  and planned festival screenings. Ludgate Hub, which itself is powered by SIRO Gigabit Fibre then approached the broadband operator to see what could be achieved, in the short time frame, to provide fibre broadband to meet the connectivity requirements of the Town Hall. Notwithstanding the extremely tight deadlines, following extensive engagement and teamwork between Ludgate Hub, SIRO and Cork County Council, a fibre broadband connection was installed in the Town Hall premise late on Thursday. Access to a full fibre broadband connection is seen as essential for the longer-term viability and continued development of the Town Hall as a centre point for Skibbereen’s artistic community. It’s hoped that fast and reliable connectivity will allow the Town Hall to expand the facility’s arts activities into the future. Skibbereen Arts Festival Director, Declan McCarthy commented:
The theme of the Olympics features large during this year’s festival, not least because of Skibbereen’s strong rowing representation at this year’s games. “Being able to provide a public venue for people to come together, watch, and cheer on our rowers as they compete at the Paris Olympics was really important to us. We encourage everyone to drop into the Town Hall over the coming days. “Having SIRO, step in at the last minute, to ensure that we have the connectivity to do that is just terrific and really appreciated. Special thanks goes to the team at Ludgate Hub and Cork County Council also for supporting us in this endeavour”.
SIRO CEO John Keaney noted:
SIRO has a long-standing relationship with both the team at Ludgate Hub and Skibbereen. It was one of the first towns which we rolled out our full fibre broadband network to, including providing Gigabit connectivity to the Ludgate Hub. “Now the Town Hall will enjoy high quality connectivity, on a par with what many homes and businesses in Skibbereen already enjoy. “We are pleased to be able to provide, despite the tight timeline, the connectivity solutions required. Like everyone, we are wishing all Skibbereen’s rowers best of luck in Paris over the coming days and every success to the Arts Festival”.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll stated:
“There is a fantastic buzz around Skibbereen and the wider west Cork area, with excitement building for the Olympics and the Arts Festival.  We are delighted that Skibbereen Town Hall can now be used as a hub for the Olympic rowing events, particularly with so many local participants.  “The addition of SIRO to the Town Hall will further enhance the facilities there.  I would like to acknowledge the work done by all involved to complete this project in such a short timeframe.  “We in Cork County Council, wish every success to all of the Olympic athletes and continued success to the Arts Festival Committee for another fruitful festival”.
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SIRO, Ireland’s leading fibre broadband network operator, is delighted to announce that the first homes in Bandon can now connect to its 100% fibre broadband network.   With almost 300 premises already passed by SIRO in Bandon, a further 1,000 premises will go live at the end of July. Overall, by the end of 2024, SIRO aims to pass a total 3,000 homes and businesses in Bandon, ensuring widespread access to fast and reliable full fibre broadband.  The areas covered in this phase include, but are not limited to:  Rosewood, Rosewood Rise, Árdán na n-Óglach, Sean Buckley’s Terrace, Connolly Street, and Parnell Street. Residents and businesses in these locations will benefit from enhanced connectivity, with SIRO’s broadband network regarded as one of the most advanced in Europe.  With the rollout in Bandon, SIRO network in County Cork continues to expand. In addition, to its network Cork City, SIRO is already available in towns across the county including Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Youghal, Little Island, Fermoy, Mallow, Midleton, Passage West and Skibbereen.  SIRO is on track to reach over 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. Currently, more than 600,000 premises in 135 towns and cities across the country have access to the SIRO network. Overall, SIRO is investing over €1 billion to deliver high-speed, future-proofed broadband throughout Ireland.  Commenting on SIRO’s network rollout in Bandon, SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney said: 
"This is an exciting development for Bandon. We are pleased that our fibre rollout is now going live across the town.   “Our goal is to connect as many homes and businesses as possible to our high-speed fibre network. This will give consumers choice and competition and the opportunity to move away from slow and outdated copper broadband to fast, reliable fibre broadband." 
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Full fibre broadband network operator, SIRO, has called for an integrated, joined-up approach to the forthcoming process of copper broadband switch off. The overall approach must ensure that the hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses, still dependent on copper devices, experience minimal disruption during the transition to fibre broadband. Copper switch off is where the decades old copper broadband network will be shut down with homes and businesses migrated to full fibre broadband as part of the process. At end 2023, the telecommunications regulator, Comreg, approved the conditions for copper switch off, subject to several provisions, with this process expected to begin shortly. In addition, the European Commission recently published a consultation where it marked 2030 as its preferred deadline by which all copper networks across the EU would switch off.  Ireland will also be required meet this date for the end of copper broadband. An analysis by SIRO has identified that many everyday devices used by homes and businesses remain dependent on copper broadband to function. These devices will all be impacted by the switch off process. Devices include house and security alarms, medical and security monitors, lifts, landline and emergency phones, car park barriers or retail point of sale terminals. While the full quantum of individuals and businesses and their devices impacted have yet to be complied, there is existing data on some which highlight the extent of the issue. Examples include:
  • Burglar Alarms: Industry research has found half of Irish homes have burglar alarms (49%), a majority which still use copper technology. This means up to one million homes need to update their house alarms to fibre or mobile technology in the years ahead.
  • Seniors Alarm Scheme: These monitored alarms are provided to senior and vulnerable individuals across Ireland to allow them to continue to live independently in their homes. Since 2015, 106,000 senior personal security alarms (approx. 15,000 additional per annum) have been provided to individuals - the overwhelmingly majority of which remain tied to copper landlines.
  • SME’s continuing copper dependency: Recent research commissioned by SIRO found that more than half of all Irish businesses remain dependent on a copper broadband connection, with micro businesses (1-10 employees) most likely to be using outdated technology.
To increase awareness of full fibre broadband, SIRO this month has kicked off a nationwide campaign, Fibre First, promoting the benefits of fibre broadband and featuring star of Derry Girls, Siobhán McSweeney. SIRO Chief Commercial Officer, Ronan Whelan noted:
That we are now on the cusp of starting to switch off slow, outdated copper broadband is hugely positive. It shows the huge and ongoing progress, over the last decade, in rolling out full fibre broadband across Ireland. “The process of transitioning away from copper broadband will take place over several years but it will impact hundreds of thousands of householders and businesses. As a result, it’s vital we start preparing for it now, particularly to ensure minimal end user disruption. “A Stakeholder Taskforce is needed to quantify the scale of the transition; plan what needs to happen; and, to implement and publicly communicate these changes in an ordered and coordinated way to those impacted. “As a country we need to be in solutions mode to ensure this change is planned and supported across a range of end user touch points such as, for example, keeping existing landline numbers or continuity of service on monitored health devices. “The Taskforce must include not just the telecoms industry and Government, but all wider stakeholders such security and alarm, retail and business, health and community group representatives,” added Mr Whelan.
For more information on the copper switch off, visit our dedicated page here.
SIRO, Ireland's leading fibre broadband network operator, has announced the expansion of its high-speed network to Ardee in County Louth. SIRO’s build in the town is underway and is set to connect over 1,500 premises in the town by the end of March 2024. SIRO’s full fibre broadband is already available to over 24,000 premises in Louth in towns such as Dundalk and Drogheda  Areas in Ardee joining SIRO’s fibre network include Campbell’s Park, Dawson's Demesne, John Street, Stoney Lane, Cloughan Bridge, Cloughanvary, Rockfield, Heathergate, Sliabh Breag, Drogheda Road, and  Rathgory.   The construction phase in the town commenced in December 2023, with over 400 premises in Hale Street, Moorehall, Clonmore, The Orchard, Mount View and Dawson's Demesne already live on SIRO’s network.  SIRO has continuously expanded its network throughout County Louth since the first premises in Dundalk were connected to its 100% fibre broadband in 2015. In Dundalk SIRO’s network now reaches over 13,778 premises. More recently, works have been ongoing in Drogheda where now 10,244 homes and businesses have access to fibre broadband. With a network which reaches over 24,000 premises in the County; it means that over 70,000 Louth residents can now avail of SIRO’s fibre broadband offering speeds of up to 2 Gigabits.    The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Ardee is part of SIRO’s ongoing network expansion, targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026.   To date, over 550,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. The company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.  SIRO John Keaney Chief Executive Officer, noted:   
"Since SIRO first began rolling out Gigabit broadband to Louth residents in 2015, we have experienced huge demand for reliable and trustworthy connectivity from individuals, communities and businesses in Louth.  “Our expansion into Ardee reflects our continued commitment to delivering high-speed, future-proofed broadband and to make advanced connectivity accessible to even more Louth households and businesses."
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Thursday 19th of October marks National Women's Enterprise Day. This enterprise event promotes, encourages and stimulates female entrepreneurship across Ireland. In celebration of National Women's Enterprise Day, we spoke to Lorraine Gribbons, Managing Director at Fastcom, who talks us through the challenges and rewards of her journey as an entrepreneur.

Background of Business

Founded in 2004, Fastcom is one of Ireland's largest independently owned telecoms providers with customers across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the US. The company partners with over ten infrastructure providers to offer the widest range of broadband connectivity and communications solutions to customers in various sectors, including government, healthcare, retail, logistics, and education. Fastcom is one of SIRO's retail partners and has over 1,500 customers across Ireland.

Tell us about your business?

Our business is Fastcom Broadband, a telecoms provider based in Sligo and serving customers across the country. We serve the business and domestic markets, providing broadband, phone and cyber security services. We have a huge range of customers of various sizes and operating in many different industries. We cater for all and can provide the flexibility that many of our larger competitors cannot, especially for our business customers.

What motivated you to start your own business?

My husband, Ross, started Fastcom back in 2004. I was working in Dublin training with KPMG to be a Chartered Accountant at the time. I moved back to Sligo and worked in an accountancy practice as a manager for several years before joining Fastcom in 2016. I was always involved in the background from when the business was set up, taking the next step to become CEO was the next step for me. It has been so personally rewarding to see Fastcom grow throughout the years to where we are now.

What has been the biggest challenge or learning for you?

I suppose my biggest challenge was that I was an accountant and not a "techie" and was operating in a very technical industry. In my training as a Chartered Accountant, I would have seen a wide range of clients, so I had great exposure on the side of running a business. Still, it did take me a while to get my head around the technical side of the business. We are fortunate to have a great team here now who have the expertise and skills necessary to keep that side running smoothly all the time.

What advice would you give women thinking about starting their own business?

I think just to go for it. If starting a business and working for yourself is something you are passionate about, you have to give it a go. It can be tricky sometimes, but the rewards are more than worth it.

Finally, as a company's CEO providing broadband connectivity, what are the key ways technology can help women in business?

One key element is the flexibility it can provide for working. Everyone experienced that when COVID hit, and we all had to make the shift and work remotely from what we would all have known as a standard office environment. Connectivity unlocks technology that can make all our lives easier. From the perspective of running a business and juggling all the responsibilities that come with that have a secure fibre broadband connection is a first step. From there, there are multiple digital tools which can help to enhance your productivity and allowing you to focus on business priorities vs. getting weighed down with important but time-consuming administrative tasks. AI is just one really exciting tool which is now beginning to gain traction and become embedded in business, and which is likely to really change how business operates – but in a positive way! To read more on SIRO's sustainability efforts and how we encourage equity in the workplace, click here.