CEO calls for government to put a deadline on phasing out dated network
Trade
Pictured: Paul Doyle, Visual Print and John Keaney, Siro
The CEO of Broadband network operator Siro John Keaney has called for the switching off Ireland’s copper broadband network to be fast-tracked.
John Keaney made the statement as part of an announcement that Siro’s fibre-to-the-premise broadband network has now passed 700,000 premises.
The process of copper switch off is gathering pace across Europe, with switch off completed or well advanced in France, Spain and Sweden and the UK’s commencing next January. However, Ireland does not yet have a national target date for when switch off will start or complete, even though the conditions for beginning the process now exist. This continued reliance on a broadband technology no longer fit for purpose, notwithstanding full fibre alternatives, leave Irish businesses exposed in areas such as the adoption of AI and other new technologies, productivity and profitability.
Switching off Ireland’s existing, outdated copper broadband network will ensure the national standard of connectivity enjoys greater resiliency, is future-proofed, and better equipped to support Ireland withstand challenges such as climate change or the impacts of the current global energy crisis.
The 700,000th premise passed by Siro’s network is Bray-based print and embroidery specialist Visual Print. The company was established in 2001 and offers a wide range of printing services, catering to both small and large volume orders. It specialises in direct screen printing, DTF printing and garment embroidery, operating from two warehouse in the Solus Industrial Estate in Bray, employing a staff of 11.
Keaney said: “Our network now reaching more than 700,000 homes and businesses is another significant milestone for Siro, while also actively contributing to the overall national objective of a full fibre Gigabit Ireland by 2028… Equally, as the global energy crisis continues, more businesses and their employees will look to work and collaborate online to reduce high energy costs, requiring stable, dependable fibre broadband and a conscious move away from outdated copper-based technologies.
“Government have the capacity to act by setting an ambitious target date for completing copper switch off, such as 2030, and using levers at its disposal to encourage switch off. With key stakeholders already indicating a willingness to collectively work together, a real opportunity now exists to achieve it.”
Siro was founded in 2015 as a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone.
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