Eir, owned by French entrepreneur Xavier Niel, said it aims to make fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) available to 1.9 million premises, 84% of those in the republic.
Eavann Murphy (pictured), managing director of Eir’s wholesale operation, said: “Our purpose is, and always will be, to connect for a better Ireland and we do this by building world class fibre networks as we understand that high speed broadband has become absolutely essential to support the way we work, live, do business, socialise and connect.”
The company said the 16% of Ireland not covered by its plan would be served by the national broadband plan. The government in 2019 set up National Broadband Ireland (NBI), chaired by David McCourt, to connect rural parts of the country with FTTH. “We are actively supporting the national broadband plan,” said Murphy.
She added that the two projects together “will mean Ireland will have a ubiquitous gigabit fibre network, making this one of the most connected countries in the world”.
Murphy said: “The upgrade of all premises, both homes and businesses, to a gigabit fibre connection will enable customers to live and work anywhere they choose in Ireland, while being connected with highspeed fibre, an absolute essential.”
Last month Niel announced a plan to take his Iliad group, including Eir, private, valuing the whole business at €10 billion.
