CALL FOR INVESTMENT IN NEXT GENERATION BROADBAND FOR RURAL GALWAY

Date Published: 13-Dec-2012

Enterprise and job growth will be significantly promoted in rural areas of county Galway if there is focused investment in the roll-out of next generation broadband.

That’s just one of the findings of a new report by the Western Development Commission.

The study entitled "Connecting the West: Next Generation Broadband" includes many case studies on how firms have endured difficulty due to connectivity problems such as the experience of Cong based McGrath’s Limestone.

The WDC report finds that the value of broadband infrastructure in rural areas can make geographic distance far less relevant and provides instant access to a worldwide market.

Author of the report Deirdre Frost says while the publication of the government’s national broadband plan is welcome, there is a concern of the emergence of a three-speed Ireland which could affect rural towns in Galway.