National Broadband Ireland is completing construction of its fibre optic broadband network in the rural areas surrounding Roscommon Town and companies now taking pre-orders for connections, says local TD, and architect of the National Broadband Plan, Denis Naughten.

There are 2,993 premises in the Roscommon area such as Ballymurray, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Kilroosky and Four-Mile-House (see attached map) and all rural homes can now make pre-orders for connections to the 1000mbps super high-speed broadband network with their preferred provider by going to NBI.ie with their eircode.

“The vast majority of connections to homes will be from the nearest eir telephone pole and it is important that homeowners make sure they can connect to the fibre when it comes to their door, by ensuring there are no trees etc blocking the route from their home to the nearest telephone pole or that any ducts are free of dirt and debris,” explained Denis Naughten.

“While the initial local build-out started in the rural areas around Ballinasloe, work is now nearing completion around Roscommon Town with work in Athlone, other parts of South Roscommon and Carrick-on-Shannon taking place over the coming 12 months, with the Castlerea area having access to the network by mid-2023.”

Denis Naughten added: “Even though these will be some of the first areas in the country to get this new pure fibre broadband service, the delivery has been delayed over the last year, despite Government commitments to fast track the project.

“The delays in the build out are directly impacting on the delivery dates for Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon which were originally planned for completion by the end of 2021. This is at least in part due to the failure by the Government to actively supervise the build out of this project.

“However, Government has at least acknowledged its failure in this regard and a taskforce that I set up as Minister in 2016 to help with the delivery of rural broadband, which was shut down when the broadband contract was signed, it now to be re-established.

“The further phases of the build-out will include Elphin, Rooskey, Curraghboy, Cloonfad in West Roscommon and Newbridge, Co. Galway, to complete the coverage of County Roscommon and East Galway, and it is now imperative that Government addresses the delays and ensures that these communities get access to broadband as quickly as possible.”

Further information on the National Broadband Plan can be found at www.nbi.ie and you can register for updates using your

eircode.