Broadband Plan branded ‘shambolic’

The ongoing issues with the tendering process for the National Broadband Plan have made the issue a shambles.
That’s according to Charlestown-based Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray (pictured), who says the fact there is only one bidder remaining leaves the Government squeezed between international venture capitalists, leaving those who need high-speed broadband no closer to a start date.
“There have been many problems with the broadband tender, and now further questions have emerged over its viability with Ministers meeting the only bidder and meeting when there was other bidders left in the process. This now potentially makes the process legally compromised. Subsequent court challenges to the tender are now a certainty,” said Cllr Murray.
“After seven years in power, Fine Gael have still not given a date when broadband roll out will begin. After three years of confidence and supply with Fianna Fail, both parties refuse to consider any alternative state model that would quickly and efficiently solve the problem. With the model the Government have chosen, the Irish taxpayer will be bank rolling this project for 25 years and will then hand over ownership to a venture capitalist at the end of this term. We must also question the capability of the remaining bidder to fulfil the project,” he added.
“I have contended that this model is the wrong model. Our proposition is that the significant and extensive State infrastructure criss-crossing the State could be the backbone of rural broadband. We have ESB infrastructure leading to every home in the State, we have the State owned network of the ‘Mans’  (Metropolitan Area Network to regional towns, and the broadband infrastructure that supplies this, and we also have the State purchasing all of the telecoms company, Enet this week. Combined, this forms huge state infrastructure,” he said.