Broadband benefits discussed

Ireland ranks about “mid-table” across Europe for the introduction of broadband services, the Joint Oireachtas (parliamentary) Committee on Transport and Communications heard during two presentations on 26 September.

Committee members quizzed the secretary general of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Aidan Dunning, on broadband policy and delivery. Conal Henry, the head of the e-net the company which manages the national fibre network, told the committee that along with economic benefits, broadband offered social and environmental benefits.