Latest county milestone achieved as national deployment nears completion
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Kildare County Council have today announced the completion of the National Broadband Plan (NBP)’s main infrastructure build works in Co. Kildare.
The milestone marks a major step forward for 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.
With the completion of the main NBI infrastructure rollout, Kildare becomes the eleventh county to reach this milestone as the nationwide deployment moves into its final phase ahead of completion later this year.
Speaking recently, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, TD said: “Kildare is one of Ireland’s fastest-growing counties, with a strong tradition of agriculture and equine excellence alongside a thriving enterprise sector. With the main National Broadband Plan rollout complete, homes, farms, businesses and schools across the county now have access to the world-class digital connectivity they need to thrive.
“This €53 million Government investment means 15,000 premises across Kildare can access the high-speed fibre broadband they need to work, learn, do business and stay connected.
“The infrastructure being delivered under the National Broadband Plan will support communities and businesses across the county for decades to come, helping Kildare to remain connected, competitive, and ready for the opportunities of the future.”
To mark this milestone, Kildare County Council hosted a reception at the Council Chambers in Áras Chill Dara featuring addresses Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Tim Durkan; Tom McCormack, Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer of National Broadband Ireland.
There are approximately 15,000 premises in Co. Kildare that are included in the State’s Intervention Area, where NBI is delivering minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms and schools. The rollout represents €53 million of Government investment in the county, with almost 7,000 premises already connected to the network.
Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Tim Durkan, said: “The completion of the main National Broadband Plan rollout in Kildare is a very positive milestone for the county and, most importantly, for the communities that will benefit from improved access to high-speed broadband. Good connectivity makes a real difference to everyday life, whether that is giving people greater flexibility to work from home, helping students to learn, supporting farms and local businesses or simply making it easier for people to stay connected.
“I want to acknowledge the considerable work that has gone into reaching this point and thank everyone involved in delivering the rollout, including the Department, National Broadband Ireland and the teams within Kildare County Council who have supported the project locally. It is an important achievement and one that will benefit communities across Kildare for many years to come.”
Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, said: “Kildare is a growing county, and it is important that the infrastructure supporting that growth keeps pace with the needs of our communities and our economy. The completion of the main National Broadband Plan rollout is an important milestone for Kildare. The new fibre infrastructure delivered by NBI has given rural communities across the county access to the kind of connectivity that is now essential to modern life and business.
“We have already seen how improved connectivity supports people to work from home, helps businesses to operate and grow, and makes it easier for communities to access services and opportunities. Bringing the main rollout to completion now means those benefits can be felt more widely across the county, while strengthening Kildare’s position as a connected and attractive place to live, work, invest and do business.”
TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland said: “The completion of the main rollout in Kildare is a major milestone for the county and for everyone involved in delivering the National Broadband Plan. Through close collaboration with Government, Kildare County Council and our delivery partners, 15,000 homes, farms, businesses and schools across the county can now access the NBI fibre network. As a Kildare native myself, I’m particularly pleased to see the rollout reach this point and the difference that access to high-speed broadband is already making for communities across the county.
“Almost 7,000 premises in Kildare are already connected to the NBI network, and we are continuing to see strong demand from homes, farms and businesses. For those who have yet to connect, I would encourage them to check their Eircode, contact their chosen broadband provider and place an order. The infrastructure is now in place across the main rollout area, and we want to see as many people as possible making full use of it.”
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.
Across the country, over 549,000 premises can now order broadband on the NBI network, with almost 191,000 connections to date. 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. Communities across Ireland are now able to access fibre broadband capable of supporting remote work, online learning, digital health services, agri-tech, tourism and local enterprise.
NBI is a wholesale network operator, meaning homes and businesses order services through broadband providers rather than directly from NBI. Residents and businesses in NBI’s rollout area can check their Eircode on the NBI website to confirm availability and view the list of broadband providers offering services over the network and place an order directly with their preferred provider.
