Mullingar and athlone in first phase of fibre to the building network rollout

Athlone and Mullingar have been listed in the first phase of a major broadband rollout which will see speeds available of up to 1000 Mbps.

The EU has approved the creation by ESB and Vodafone of a joint venture company, through which €450m is to be invested in a 100% fibre broadband network in Ireland.

This “fibre to the building” network is a first for this country, and as an open access network, it is to be available to all authorised broadband operators in the country.

According to the two firms, the move will help propel Ireland into the ranks of the world’s fastest broadband countries.

The venture will utilise ESB’s existing electricity infrastructure which will offer broadband speeds from 200 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, initially reaching 500,000 premises in fifty townsin phase one.

The two companies will now go about formally establishing the joint venture.  Network roll-out will commence early next year and phase one is expected to be complete by the end of 2018, with further scope for a second phase thereafter.  The first technical trials of the technology are already underway in two estates in Cavan town.