22,000 Carlow homes and businesses to get better internet amid eir investment

A new report has revealed that eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications provider, has invested €11.6 million in fibre internet connection works in Carlow since 2016.

eir released its first ever comprehensive Economic and Social Impact Report, which highlights that the company has invested almost €1.7 billion in telecommunications infrastructure in the last six years, supporting Ireland to become one of the most digitally connected countries in Europe.

eir has also announced a further €500 million investment to expand its fibre network across Ireland, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing nationwide connectivity.

eir has also announced that 18,094 homes and businesses across Carlow can now access gigabit fibre broadband, according to new data from its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband roll-out programme. The eir fibre build project is already 81% complete in Carlow with 18,094 homes and businesses now having access to high-speed fibre connection, following investment of €11.6 million into the Carlow network.

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On completion, the network will serve 22,304 premises across the county of Carlow facilitating broadband speeds up to 100 times faster than a traditional copper network.

In addition to its substantial investment in Fibre across County Carlow, eir has made a multi million euro investment to upgrade 30 mobile sites across County Carlow over the past 4 years. This investment provides over 99% 4G coverage in the county through the eir mobile and GoMo brands, enabling high quality mobile voice and data experiences.

eir is also supporting the Government’s National Broadband Plan in County Carlow through the use of several thousand of its poles to facilitate the rollout of rural fibre.

Speaking at the report launch, Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, said: “A digitally inclusive economy and society are crucial for Ireland’s future. With an additional €500 million committed investment in our communications infrastructure, eir is committed to strengthening this foundation.

"This report not only highlights our direct contributions to the Irish economy through employment and investment but also our broader impact in enabling the digital economy. Our extensive network infrastructure is essential to Ireland’s digital transformation, supporting both EU and national strategies that prioritise digitalisation for societal, economic, and environmental advancement. eir’s infrastructure underpins €172 billion in economic activity across Ireland."

Also speaking at the launch of the report, Associate Professor Emeritus of Economics, Anthony Foley, of Dublin City University Business School, and author of the Report: “What we have found in conducting this research is that a cutting-edge digital network infrastructure is the foundation of a flourishing digital economy and society. The globalisation and FDI aspects of the Irish economy mean that broadband infrastructure and services, and international digital connectivity are significant competitiveness issues. Ireland is a very open economy. There is a continuing need to match, and ideally exceed, international broadband capability.”