Border broadband costs to soar as Govt pulls essential scheme – Smith

Published on: 11 August 2014


Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith says the Government’s decision to end the National Broadband Scheme further highlights its lack of interest in rural Ireland.  The scrapping of the programme could see rural users forking out an additional €176 a year for a basic broadband service.

Deputy Smith stated, “The announcement to withdraw funding of the National Broadband Scheme is short-sighted and ill-advised and will have serious consequences for households and businesses in Cavan and Monaghan.  Broadband coverage across the two counties is already questionable in some areas, and the removal of this essential service will only serve to make a bad situation worse.

“The National Broadband Scheme, which was introduced by the previous Government, provided basic affordable broadband services in rural areas where coverage was poor.  The decision to withdraw the funding will result in a 75% price hike for customers.  Bills could increase by as much as €176 a year – a huge rise, which many homes may not be able to afford.  The massive price increases could see households forced to give up their broadband service, a utility which is now considered and essential service.

“This move effectively downgrades rural communities and reinforces the two tier economy that this Government has created.  Regional and rural Ireland has been effectively abandoned by the Fine Gael-Labour coalition.  The border area has seen little in the way of investment, and now the Communications Minister Alex White has decided to pull the plug on secure broadband in the region.  Small and Medium businesses here will be at a serious competitive disadvantage compared to companies in the major cities, if broadband services aren’t up to speed.

“Shortly before the local elections, the Government announced the National Broadband Plan, yet just months later, has scrapped the scheme which guaranteed basic broadband services at a reasonable price.  This is a deeply cynical move by the new Minister, which will further disenfranchise rural Ireland.  The scheme is due to expire on August 25 th and I would urge Minister White to reconsider his decision and reinstate this essential scheme”.

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