Latest county milestone as national deployment nears conclusion
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Meath County Council have today announced the completion of the National Broadband Plan’s main infrastructure build works in Co. Meath.
The milestone marks a major step forward for rural communities across the county, with high-speed fibre broadband now available to homes, farms, businesses and schools in areas that previously had no access to reliable, high-speed connectivity.
Meath is the latest county to reach this stage of the National Broadband Plan rollout as the national programme moves through its final phase of delivery. Main infrastructure works have also recently been completed in Kilkenny, Longford and Tipperary.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, TD said: “Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone for Co. Meath and for the National Broadband Plan as a whole.
“At its core, the National Broadband Plan is about ensuring that every home, farm, business, and community is provided with equal opportunities and access to essential services, regardless of where they are located. It is about strengthening connectivity, supporting local economies, and ensuring that no community is left behind.
“The National Broadband Plan is the largest infrastructure project in rural Ireland since electrification. In County Meath, this €76 million Government investment is transforming connectivity by delivering world-class fibre broadband infrastructure to communities across the county. It is opening new opportunities to attract investment, drive economic growth, support enterprise development, and empower local communities and businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
“As the national infrastructure rollout builds momentum towards completion, the National Broadband Plan is laying the foundations for long-term economic development, more resilient and connected communities, and greater opportunity for people and businesses across the country.”
To mark this milestone, Meath County Council hosted a breakfast reception at the Thrive Centre of Business Excellence featuring addresses from An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sarah Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of NBI, TJ Malone, and Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe.
The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Broadband Officer at Meath County Council, Cormac McCann, where NBI’s CEO TJ Malone, Meath GAA’s Trevor Golden and Dr Ciara Uí Chonduibh, principal of St Fiach’s National School in Ballinacree discussed the importance of high-speed fibre broadband to Meath communities.
Speaking today, An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sarah Reilly, said: “This is a hugely important milestone for County Meath and for our rural communities. Reliable, high-speed connectivity is essential for how people live, work and learn today, and this investment ensures that communities right across the county can access the same opportunities and stay connected into the future.”
Over 20,000 premises in Co. Meath have now been passed by the NBI network and can order a high-speed fibre broadband connection. The rollout represents €76 million of Government investment in the county, with 8,354 premises already connected to the network to date.
NBI’s fibre rollout is delivering broadband infrastructure to what is known as the State’s Intervention Area, which includes the most remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed broadband. The network delivers minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second, providing the infrastructure needed to support modern digital life.
TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “The completion of the main infrastructure build works in Meath is a significant achievement for the National Broadband Plan and for the communities across the county that are now able to access high-speed fibre broadband. Meath is home to a diverse mix of rural communities, farms, small businesses and growing commuter areas, and reliable connectivity is essential to supporting how people now live, work and do business. I want to acknowledge the work of our teams, contractors, Meath County Council and local communities in helping to deliver this milestone.
“With 8,354 premises already connected in Meath, we are seeing strong demand from homes, farms and businesses who recognise the value of reliable, high-speed fibre broadband. This network is transforming what is possible in rural Ireland, enabling people to work remotely, access online education and healthcare, grow businesses, adopt new technologies and stay connected. We encourage every eligible home and business in Meath to check their Eircode and place an order through their preferred broadband provider.”
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, added: “The completion of this milestone reflects the strength of partnership and collaboration between Meath County Council and National Broadband Ireland. By working together, we are ensuring the delivery of world-class digital infrastructure that will empower our communities, support local businesses, and future-proof the county for generations to come.”
With construction now at an advanced stage nationwide, NBI has confirmed that the main build of the fibre network remains on track for completion by the end of this year. The network will enable high-speed broadband access for 566,000 homes, farms and businesses across rural Ireland, an increase of 29,000 premises from the original 537,000 identified at the time of contract signing.
Nationally, more than 498,000 homes, farms and businesses have now been passed by the NBI network and can order a fibre broadband connection, with over 181,000 connected so far as demand continues to accelerate. In many areas where the network has been live for longer, take-up already surpasses 60%, reflecting strong national appetite for world-class fibre connectivity.
