€33 Million Broadband Investment Transforms Connectivity Across Louth as NBI Completes Main Network Build
Latest county milestone achieved as national infrastructure deployment nearing completion
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Louth County Council have today announced the completion of the National Broadband Plan (NBP)’s main infrastructure build works in Co. Louth.
The milestone marks a major step forward for communities across the county, with high-speed fibre broadband now available to homes, farms, businesses and schools in areas that previously had no access to reliable, high-speed connectivity.
With the completion of the main NBI infrastructure rollout, Louth becomes the latest county to reach this milestone as the nationwide infrastructure deployment moves into its final phase ahead of completion later this year.
Speaking recently, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, TD said:
“The completion of the National Broadband Plan build in County Louth is a significant milestone in delivering on our commitment to connect every community to the opportunities of the digital economy.
“This €33 million Government investment is giving homes, businesses and communities across Louth the connectivity they need to work, grow, and compete. That matters particularly in a county with such a proud industrial heritage and such a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
"The National Broadband Plan is transforming rural Ireland. In Louth, we are seeing that transformation become a reality, creating the digital foundations for the next generation of enterprise, innovation, and opportunity.
"This is about more than broadband. It is about giving people the tools to build their future in the communities they call home.”
To mark this milestone, Louth County Council hosted a reception at the Oriel Centre, Dundalk, featuring addresses from Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council; Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary General, Department of Communications; Mairead Meyer, Chief Operations Officer, National Broadband Ireland; and David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council.
There are approximately 9,000 premises in County Louth that are included in the State’s Intervention Area, where NBI is delivering minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second. The rollout represents €33 million of Government investment in the county, with over 3,500 premises already connected to the network.
Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said:
"The completion of the main National Broadband Plan rollout is a significant milestone for County Louth and a major achievement for the people, businesses and communities that have waited many years for access to reliable, high-speed broadband.
“With the network build now complete, every community within the National Broadband Plan intervention area in Louth can access the NBI fibre network, ensuring that location is no longer a barrier to opportunity.
“From the Cooley Peninsula to Mid-Louth and Drogheda, rural families, farmers, businesses, schools and community organisations can now benefit from the same world-class digital connectivity available in our larger towns and urban centres.
“This investment strengthens the foundations of our communities, supports education, enterprise and local development, and ensures that people across County Louth can enjoy the same connectivity opportunities as anywhere else in Ireland."
David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said:
“The completion of the main National Broadband Plan rollout marks the culmination of a transformational infrastructure project for County Louth and reflects many years of collaboration between Government, National Broadband Ireland, telecommunications providers and local stakeholders.
"I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated work of Wayne Macken, Broadband Officer with Louth County Council, whose ongoing engagement with communities, providers and national agencies has helped maximise the benefits of broadband investment across the county.
"The impact of this investment is already evident, with recent ComReg figures showing County Louth performing above the national average for both fibre broadband availability and take-up. That demonstrates not only the success of the rollout itself, but the willingness of residents and businesses to embrace the opportunities that enhanced connectivity brings."
Mairead Meyer, Chief Operations Officer, National Broadband Ireland commented:
“As a county strategically positioned on the Dublin-Belfast corridor, connectivity has always played an important role in Louth's success. Today's milestone ensures that communities beyond the urban centres can also benefit from the opportunities that high-speed broadband brings.
“Through strong collaboration with Government, Louth County Council and our delivery partners, 9,000 homes, farms, businesses and schools across the county can now access the NBI fibre network.
“While the network build is complete, the next step belongs to the people of Louth. Over 3,500 premises are already connected, and we are seeing strong demand from homes, farms and businesses who recognise the value of reliable, high-speed fibre broadband. If your home or business is now ready for connection, I would encourage you to contact your chosen broadband provider and place your order today.”
With construction now at an advanced stage nationwide, NBI has confirmed that the main build of the fibre network remains on track for completion by the end of this year. The network will enable high-speed broadband access for 566,000 homes, farms and businesses across rural Ireland, an increase of 29,000 premises from the original 537,000 identified at the time of contract signing.
Across the country, almost 532,000 premises can now connect and order broadband on the NBI network, with over 193,000 connections to date. In many areas where the network has been live for longer, take-up already surpasses 60%, reflecting strong national appetite for world-class fibre connectivity. Communities across Ireland are now able to access fibre broadband capable of supporting remote work, online learning, digital health services, agri-tech, tourism and local enterprise.
NBI is a wholesale network operator, meaning homes and businesses order services through broadband providers rather than directly from NBI. Residents and businesses in NBI’s rollout area can check their Eircode on the NBI website to confirm availability and view the list of broadband providers offering services over the network and place an order directly with their preferred provider.
About NBI
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is delivering and operating the new high-speed fibre broadband network for rural Ireland. NBI is now transitioning from large-scale build to the long-term operation and ongoing management of the new national broadband network, known as the NBI network™, ensuring a secure, resilient and high-quality broadband service for homes, farms and businesses across rural Ireland.
The NBI network™ operates on an open-access, wholesale basis, supporting a competitive retail broadband market. Over 50 broadband providers actively sell on the network currently and NBI will continue to facilitate end user connections to their network over the term of the contract, with take up of c. 80% anticipated.
NBI’s team brings together some of the most talented individuals in Ireland and across the world, with deep knowledge and experience in delivering projects to the scale of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). This includes developing, building, and operating networks and coordinating all the elements required to finance and deliver a project of the size and complexity of Ireland’s NBP, one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken by the State.
NBI was established by Granahan McCourt, an international investor in technology, media and telecommunications. For over 35 years, Granahan McCourt has partnered with Governments, corporations and communities to connect people through innovation in technologically underserved areas of the world.
NBI is contracted for the management of the new network for at least the next 20 years.
Broadband Connection Points
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) play an important role in the provision of high-speed broadband services to rural communities. Established as part of the National Broadband Plan, these sites provide free public access to reliable broadband for online learning, remote working, digital services, and community events and activity.
Today, there are 955 BCPs across the country including schools, as well as public locations such as sports clubs, community centres, and tourist sites. You can view a full list of BCP locations at nbi.ie.