Here is everything you need to know about the National Broadband Plan in Tipperary

At last month’s sitting of Tipperary County Council, elected representatives were given a progress report on the National Development Plan.

Chief Operating Officer of National Broadband Ireland Donal Hanrahan told elected members that by the end of this year, 43% of premises in Tipperary on the plan will be connected.

The NBP is a seven-year programme, and all areas will be connected by the end of 2026.

Mr Hanrahan said his presentation was intended to help councillors answer their constituents’ questions.

“It’s the lack of information that can frustrate as much as the answer,” said Mr Hanrahan.

Here are some of the questions asked by council members after the presentation.

ONE SIDED

Cllr Mairin Mcgrath said it can be confusing for people to see their premises being connected by NBI but then not have broadband.

Secondly, she said, it can be frustrating for people to see one side of their road connected, but not the other.

Mr Hanrahan said that if an area is on the plan, it will be connected.

It might be the case that NBI connect one section of the area and circles back around to others later.

“If you are in an intervention area, we have to service you. There is no debate,” said Mr Hanrahan.

Mr Hanrahan also told councillors that NBI does not provide the actual service.

NBI is responsible for building and maintaining the network, but service is provided by companies like Vodafone or Eir.

So, once you are connected and your premises are live, you can sign up for a commercial plan.

EXISTING SERVICES

Cllr Joe Hanigan said that some commercial services operate in an area but have not “performed their duty.”

He asked if there is a way to identify areas where commercial services are not adequate.

Mr Hanrahan said that if someone in an area feels that they are not being adequately serviced, they can apply to the

Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to be included in the plan.

He said that NBI cannot include areas not approved by the department.

LAND DISPUTES

Cllr Hanigan also asked if there was a way of providing services where there may be a land dispute.

He said Eir may have a wayleave and asked if NBI can use that to ensure an area is connected.

Mr Hanrahan said this is a common issue. He said where a company has a wayleave they may be able to get permission to use it.

But if a landowner will not grant them access to their land, NBI will be restricted.

NO AREA LEFT BEHIND

Cllr Sean Ryan and Cllr Phyll Bulger asked if there is any way to speed up the connection for areas like Littleton and Ballina, which will not be connected until 2026.

“A seven-year programme is fine, but when you are at the end of the programme it is very frustrating given what’s happened over the last few years,”

Cllr Ryan. Mr Hanrahan said that covid did set the programme back but that his teams are back on track. He said they are ‘contractually obligated’ to meet their deadline, and he appreciates how frustrating being last can be.

fees

Cllr John Carroll asked if there is a charge for either under or overground lines. Mr Hanrahan said that commercial operators may charge a fee to connect a premises.

They said in terms of the NBI, there may be a cost to connect if a landowner will not allow a pole. If NBI must connect to the network underground, they may charge a contribution fee.

ROADS

Cllr Marie Murphy asked about roads that were left in an ‘abysmal state,’ following works NBI.

She said she was contacted about one such road where the works contributed to flooding.

“The works by NBI should not leave reinstatement works for the council in years to come,” said Cllr Murphy.

Mr Hanrahan said there is “no excuse for re-instatements not being done properly.”

He said they work with the local authority engineers to make sure works are completed as they should.

If there is an issue, he said their contractors will come back even if issues come up in years to come.

“We will be here in five years time,” said Mr Hanrahan.

THE PLAN

The National Broadband Plan is the biggest telecommunications project undertaken in Ireland. According to Mr Hanrahan, NBI services 96% of the country.

“Regardless of geography, it is our job to ensure services to premises that don’t have access to high-speed broadband or are not going to get high-speed broadband from commercial operators,” said Mr Hanrahan.

€118 million has been invested in 30,000 premises across Tipperary.

The network is currently 12,506 premises, and a further 7,397 are in progress, according to Mr Hanrahan’s presentation. NBI have 3,263 active connections.

The networks in Roscrea, Tipperary Town and Clonmel are almost 100% connected.

You can find out the status of your home or business at www.nbi.ie.