Local Fianna Fail TD Frank O’Rourke has been informed by broadband supplier Eir that their FTTH (Fibre To The Home) rollout scheme, ideal for rural areas, will include Newtown and Timahoe.

‘Recently, I met with Eir to outline to them the importance of providing broadband connection to rural areas of North Kildare such as Newtown, Timahoe, Eadestown and Kilteel.’

‘The work to provide Newtown and Timahoe with FTTH is provisionally planned for the period 2017 to 2020. However, the precise rollout programme has not yet been determined.’

‘I strongly believe that we need to firm up the roll out and I have asked Eir to consider my proposal to have this work completed next year, and effectively fast track their plans. These areas have waiting too long for a reliable broadband service.’

‘I know from meeting businesses and residents in areas of Kildare the negative impact of not having adequate or reliable Broadband access. Having reliable and a consistent broadband service enhances businesses ability to trade, and gives residents the opportunity to work from home or assist in students accessing their educational needs.’

‘The Fiber to the Home (FTTH) technology, which is a fibre cable connection from the telephone exchange direct to the customer premises, is the ideal technology, particularly for rural areas. It is speedy and reliable. Details of the rollout programme can be obtained from www.fibrerollout.ie,’ stated Deputy O’Rourke.

‘92% of Kildare premises are currently broadband enabled. By the end of this year or certainly by the end of Q1 2017, over 3000  additional rural Kildare premises will be connected to broadband by the Fibre to the Home (FTTH) technology. 400 rural premises in the Maynooth area, 370 in Kilcock, 480 in Donadea, 520 in Straffan, 1110 in Roberstown and 470 in Carbury are examples of the planned rollout for this year in rural Kildare.’

‘I intend meeting Eir again in the near future to make further representations to fast track the FTTH for rural Kildare,’ concluded Deputy O’Rourke.