The delivery of high-speed broadband to rural Ireland has moved a step closer, RTE reports, after the Minister of Communications confirmed that the only remaining bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract submitted its offer. The consortium National Broadband Ireland said it is led by private investment firm Granahan McCourt, while operator Enet has taken a step back and is only a participant.
Enet is listed as a partner that "will be an integral part of the ongoing operation of the network when built". Other partners named include Nokia, Denis O'Brien's Actavo, The Kelly Group and KN Group. That makes a significant change in the structure of the group since SSE pulled out of the consortium in July. The Irish Infrastructure Fund is no longer listed as a part of the consortium in its own right, although it continues to own 78 percent of Enet.
The statement also confirms that the company will have long-term access to Eir's rural poles, as well as its duct network, RTE reported.
Responding to questions in parliament, the minister Denis Naughten said the plan was "ambitious" and it had the objective of delivering high-speed broadband to every premises in Ireland. He said the remaining bidder has had to meet the relevant thresholds set out in the procurement process.
The National Broadband Plan aims to connect 542,000 homes and businesses that do not have access to high-speed broadband, giving them a minimum download speed of 30Mbps. That represents a total of 990,000 citizens or 21 percent of the population, including 52,000 farms, 47,000 SMEs and 437 schools.
Naughten said a team of about 80 people will go through the tender and evaluate whether it can deliver the aims of the broadband plan. No deadline for a decision on the 25-year contract was given.
