Thank you to Eircom for their kind invitation to officially open this Broadband Roadshow.
The importance of broadband connectivity and the Internet cannot be understated. Within the past few years it has become the principal enabler of economic success – the most important development since the industrial revolution. It offers access to the world at the touch of a keyboard, and opens new horizons for businesses both large and small. Indeed, it is now the vital tool for any enterprise that wants to succeed.
High-speed, low-cost broadband plays a pivotal role in moving the country to the forefront of knowledge-based economies. It offers untold opportunities for education, social inclusion and health care, and will transform many rural areas that have been starved of development.
My Department’s Regional Broadband Programme has already seen investment of well over €115 million, of ERDF and Government funding, in a number of initiatives that will improve the delivery of broadband connectivity nationwide. A further €80 million has been earmarked from 2005-2007 for broadband infrastructure measures.
The Programme was put in place to kick-start investment by the sector in the necessary infrastructure, and the results are now being seen right across the country, in the Metropolitan Area Networks, the Broadband For Schools programme, and the County and Group Broadband Schemes.
There are now 27 Metropolitan Area Networks, with a further 94 on the drawing board, in association with the local and regional authorities.
The Broadband for Schools Programme is moving ahead at full speed, and will see broadband connectivity delivered to over 3,900 schools by the end of the year.
The County and Group Broadband Scheme is attracting more and more interest, including the scheme that has been approved here in Dungloe.
The growth of Internet use in recent years has been spectacular. According to recent EU statistics there are 2,060,000 Internet users in Ireland. This represents user growth of 163% in the last four years, and a market penetration, per population, of over 51%.
Businesses have been quick to adopt the new technologies.
86% of all enterprises now have Internet access, and for large enterprises the figure is 100%.
There are challenges ahead for all of us. One of the biggest challenges we must face is the provision of true broadband connectivity in all areas at affordable costs, so that the business and commercial world, and the private citizen, can reap the fullest benefits of the technology.
Ireland is the lowest cost country in the OECD for international connectivity, and our regional broadband pricing is now (after Government intervention) on a par with the best in Europe.
The price of basic broadband access is falling as the market expands, and recent price offers from the broadband suppliers are a welcome indication of the growth of healthy competition in the market.
This afternoon you will be hearing from people with a great deal of good advice and information about what broadband can do for you, for your business, your family and your community.
Broadband offers us the opportunity to turn our lives around, and to change our world for the better.
Thank you.
Ends