A new cross-Border initiative will mean that broadband will be available to 95 per cent of the population of Co Donegal by the end of the year
The International Fund for Ireland is the main backer of a €1 million investment announced yesterday that will use wireless technologies to deliver broadband connectivity across the county.
The contract to build the network and provide the service has been awarded to Derry-based Northwest Electronics. The company was established in 1991 to build cellular sites for phone companies and emergency services but began offering a wireless broadband service in the north-west in 2003.
Colm McColgan, general manager of Ernact, the European body that is project managing the scheme, said that he expected the backbone of the network to be completed in two months, at which time businesses and consumers in the county would be able to apply for service.
Mr McColgan said a not-for-profit company, Community Network Services, had been established to run the project and Northwest Electronics was obliged to offer the service at market rates. He said there had been a poor response to the tender for the project from the major telecommunications providers.
The International Fund for Ireland has contributed €500,000 to the project, with the remainder coming from regional development agency Interreg, Údarás, Donegal County Council and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
