Siro, the broadband network operator rolling out a full-fibre broadband network across Ireland, has confirmed it will bring its network to a further eight towns across Cork County in 2023, with work in these towns already underway or commencing later this year. This includes six new towns that were not part of its original rollout plans – Fermoy, Youghal, Bandon, Kinsale, Mitchelstown and PassageWest.
This represents an additional investment of €25 million, which will bring SIRO’s total investment in the county to over €125 million when its full rollout is completed. The announcement was made by SIRO as part of a presentation made by CEO John Keaney to the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins, Elected Members of Cork County Council and Chief Executive Tim Lucey.
This year, alone, SIRO will make its Gigabit fibre broadband services available to 20,000 additional premises across the eight Cork County towns. This equates to an additional 55,000 people within the county having access to Ireland’s most advanced broadband network.
SIRO first commenced its full-fibre broadband network roll-out in Cork in 2017. Since then, SIRO’s network in Cork has grown significantly and its’ network is currently available to over 60,000 premises spread throughout the county. This equates to over 162,000 people living in Cork already having access to the SIRO network.
In Cork County, SIRO is already live in several towns including Mallow, Skibbereen, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Little Island.
The company also indicated that while the six new towns being added to the SIRO network are the priority for 2023, its rollout to other Cork towns and areas in the city will continue over the coming years. Additional new areas will be announced in 2024.
SIRO also indicated that the company expects its total investment in building a full-fibre broadband network to exceed €125 million once SIRO’s Cork rollout is completed over the next four years.
Welcoming SIRO’s announcement, Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, said, “This expansion of SIRO’s fibre broadband network is very welcome news for Cork County. Fibre broadband makes remote working a real possibility and it helps to breathe life back into our towns.
It is also great news for businesses and farmers in particular who are now able to conduct more of their business online. Having a high-quality broadband connection provides opportunities for people to start up a new business and means that location is no longer a barrier for many start-ups.
Creating a fully connected Ireland is a key priority for Government and it is only possible through partnership between public and private investment working together.”
Welcoming SIRO, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins said, “We are delighted to see the further expansion of the SIRO fibre broadband network in Cork County.
Access to reliable high-quality broadband is essential for our business community as well as our residents. It will unlock further opportunities for economic development in Cork towns and will support remote working for those wishing to reduce their commute.”
Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO John Keaney noted:
“Today’s announcement is good news for towns across Cork many of whom have had to endure poor connectivity until now. The arrival of SIRO’s full-fibre broadband to towns across Cork will bring them new opportunities and safeguard their future.
“Having access to SIRO’s reliable and resilient broadband, with speeds of up to 2 Gigabits for homes and up to 10 Gigabit for businesses, ensure people and communities can live and work locally, run their businesses and stay connected with ease.
“Demand for high-quality broadband across Cork remains very strong. SIRO is responding to that demand with more 60,000 premises across Cork city and towns who can already avail of our broadband network. SIRO’s work in 2023 will expand our footprint in Cork this year even further. And beyond that, we are already looking ahead to more areas in Cork”.
