Connected Communities Launch in Mayo
Date: 11-12-2020
Community centres in Bofeenaun, Clare Island, Islandeady, Kilasser and Taugheen are broadband connected today
Live Stream of Launch Event takes place this afternoon on
Mayo County Council and the Department for Rural and Community Development wish to announce that today, Friday 11th December a virtual launch of Mayo’s Connected Communities will take place on Mayo.ie Facebook Page. Further connected communities will go-live in the first quarter of next year.
Connected Communities are Broadband Connection Points that are a key part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). It will be officially launched by The Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr. Richard Finn, Deputy Michael Ring TD. and Interim Chief Executive Peter Duggan.
There will also be pre-recorded messages from Deputy Alan Dillon TD, Deputy Dara Calleary TD and Deputy Rose Conway Walsh TD.
Connected Communities is an initiative of the Government of Ireland, in partnership with Vodafone and National Broadband Ireland to provide free high-speed internet access at public accessible sites like Community Centres for remote working, study, community/digital skills training, and a host of other digitally enabled services and amenities. A second group of communities in Mayo will go live early next year, with others being launched before the end of March 2021.
The initiative provides communities with free Wi-Fi access connectivity in advance of homes and businesses receiving future-proofed fibre broadband directly to their door. This will enable people living in the area to go to the selected location and access Wi-Fi for daily use including remote working, e-learning and general access.
Locations of BCPs being launched today are listed below:
-Bofeenaun Community Centre.
-Clare island Community Centre.
-Islandeady Community Centre.
-Killasser Community Centre.
-Taugheen Community Centre.
Speaking at this afternoon’s launch, Cathaoirleach, Cllr Richard Finn said, “Rural communities are the life blood of our county, ensuring that they are connected in not just roads and transport, but in broadband and Wi-Fi is vital in the progression of this county. This afternoon’s launch is a much welcomed development in rural Mayo’s connectivity, which will provide great opportunity for the villages, towns and for Clare Island”.
Interim Chief Executive, Peter Duggan, “Mayo County is one of the most captivating on this island, and its people are some of the most loyal and proud that you will find anywhere in the world. We are future-proofing this county for generations to come when we connect ourselves to the online world that enterprise, commerce, education and trade participates in. This afternoon’s launch and the upcoming onstream for the other Connected Community Groups in Mayo to broadband connection points are incredibly necessary for the survival of rural areas.”
Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan T.D said:
“The Broadband Connection Point delivery project, a key part of the National Broadband Plan, has shown the value of collaboration between the Government of Ireland, local authorities and commercial operators in getting rural communities connected. I welcome the launch of the initiative in County Mayo and look forward to the completion of the remaining BCPs throughout Mayo and every county in Ireland.”
Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive of National Broadband Ireland, commented: “NBI is proud to be empowering the Broadband Connection Points programme by installing community facilities with essential access to free high-speed internet access. As our teams continue to make tremendous progress with our Fibre-to-the-Home rollout to bring high-speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in the Intervention Area, Broadband Connection Points pave the way for the wider rollout of the National Broadband Plan.”
CEO Vodafone Ireland Anne O’Leary, “Vodafone is proud to partner with Government on Connected Communities, providing best in class Wi-Fi to rural communities across Ireland. Today, we are delighted to see the launch of Mayo Connected Communities, which will bring high-speed connectivity to 5 locations in the county.
Technology and connectivity has afforded us a sense of normality in truly abnormal times and has supported the dramatic and necessary shift to online in terms of how we live, work, and interact. These Connected Communities will help rural Ireland embrace this digital society by giving opportunities for remote work, study, community and digital skills training and a host of other digitally enabled services. As they evolve and grow, Connected Communities will provide an opportunity to transform the economic and social fabric of rural towns and communities by addressing the digital divide, improving lives, creating jobs and stimulating rural economic growth”.
For more information contact David Reddington, Acting Broadband Officer Email: dreddington@mayococo.ie Phone: +353949064097; or visit https://nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/
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www.mayo.ie