National Broadband Ireland representatives were in Limerick on January 24 last to present at a monthly TAG meeting.

The Telecommunications Action Group (TAG) is made up of local authority broadband officers and Department of Rural & Community Development (DRCD) staff.

TAG meetings provide an opportunity to discuss broadband roll-out plans, recent events and share experiences and information. 

The main focus of the Limerick TAG was ‘make ready’ preparations required for almost 300 new Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) that will become available to the public in rural areas this year, under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

Broadband officers heard from NBI’s Head of Product Paul Mulqueen about the importance of site surveys and how the installation process works for connecting each BCP to high speed internet.

Head of Communications Nicola Cooke spoke about a NBI new contact centre being established and communications to Gardai and other stakeholders re the start of surveying works in Cork and Galway.

The group was also addressed by NBP Programme Director Fergal Mulligan, who stressed the importance of the BCPs – and proactive use of them – ahead of a full fibre rollout in the Intervention Area (IA).

Broadband officers in over 30 local authorities nationwide are currently arranging site surveys and subsequent high speed connections for these BCPs.

There will be free public internet access at these hubs under a DRCD funding programme, and more information will be provided as the BCPs come online.

Please see more information on BCPs here /broadband-connection-points/ and a network map of their location here: /map/

NBP Programme Director Fergal Mulligan speaking at the recent Telecommunication Action Group (TAG) meeting in Limerick