Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley has said the latest figures for Irish broadband download speeds should serve as a severe wake up call for the Government.
Comreg’s Data Report for Q1 2016 in the Irish Communications Market cites a severe broadband coverage deficit and a substandard service for existing broadband users.
In a statement released to The Clare Herald, Deputy Dooley commented, “This report makes for stark reading. Comreg’s report reveals that around half of all businesses and over a quarter of homes have broadband download speeds of less than 10Mbps. In other countries, these speeds would not even meet the criteria to be classified as broadband, nor should they here.
“The Government’s national broadband plan (NBP) envisages speeds of at least 30Mbps. It is highly questionable if this can be considered “high-speed broadband” and represents second rate ambition which will be quickly overtaken by technological advances.
“The Government needs to wake up to the fact that the NBP is in tatters. Speeds are questionable and deadlines have been pushed out. Over 750,000 premises will have to wait until 2022 – some 6 years from now – for broadband to reach their homes and businesses.
“We need to see the plan upgraded and fast-tracked. Fibre optic links must be the goal. State of the art fibre broadband will bridge the digital divide, bringing homes into the 21st century and opening up a global market for local entrepreneurs. Ireland cannot afford to be left behind and the Government must prioritise fibre broadband to allow us to compete at the highest level” the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications concluded.