Mayo business helps mark 125,000 connections under National Broadband Plan
NATIONAL Broadband Ireland has today announced that over 125,000 premises across Ireland are now connected to its high-speed fibre broadband network. NBI marked the announcement in Glenisland, Castlebar, with their connected customer, Murrays Recycled Plastic Ltd.
There are now 361,101 homes, farms and businesses that have been passed with NBI fibre out of the 564,000 currently included in the NBP Intervention Area.
More than 125,000 premises have now connected to the network, with the average take-up rate of 35% - well ahead of projections and international comparisons.
Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, said: “This milestone underlines the government’s commitment to ensuring that every corner of the State has access to world-class digital infrastructure. With over 125,000 connections now live under the National Broadband Plan, we are seeing the benefits of this investment throughout rural Ireland.
“Whether it’s supporting remote working, helping local businesses expand, or giving students new ways to learn, high-speed broadband is transforming lives and unlocking new opportunities for communities across the country.”
Sheila Murray is the owner of Murrays Recycled Plastic Ltd., a family-owned business, based in Glenisland. Murrays designs and manufactures maintenance-free, durable, lifelong products made from 100% recycled plastic boards. This includes outdoor garden furniture, decking, fencing, raised beds and gates.
The company employs 15 plus people and supplies both domestic and commercial customers. Murrays are Ireland's leading supplier of premium-quality, maintenance free recycled plastic products, built to last a lifetime.
The company is leveraging high-speed broadband delivered under the National Broadband Plan to grow its brand and engage new audiences. Reliable fibre connectivity has enabled Sheila and her team to develop new digital marketing skills and build social media strategies to promote their brand online and attract new eco-conscious customers.
Said Sheila: “Better broadband has opened the door to digital marketing for our business. We’re now creating more engaging content, reaching more potential customers online, and helping to educate the market on the benefits of sustainable outdoor products.
For a rural business like ours, high-speed broadband levels the playing field. We can now compete with bigger brands and showcase our products nationally, all while supporting employment here in the local community.”
People living and working in the rollout area can connect to high-speed fibre broadband on the NBI network through a choice of 50 different broadband providers actively selling on the network. Everyone can enter their Eircode on the NBI website, www.nbi.ie, to see if their home or business is included in the rollout, as well as seeing the broadband providers offering high-speed fibre connectivity in their area.