Read the following article from Silicon Republic (siliconrepublic.com) about the government’s National Broadband Plan. Answer the accompanying questions.
NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO BRING 1.8M IRISH CITIZENS ACROSS THE
DIGITAL DIVIDE By John Kennedy
The Irish Government has published its National Broadband Plan, which will bring 38% of the population currently on the wrong side of the digital divide into the 21st century with 30Mbps speeds and higher. By 2018, 85% of Irish citizens will have high-speed broadband…
Communications Minister Alex White emphasised that the National Broadband Plan is critical and will underpin future digital initiatives by the Irish State.
‘There is no point in rolling out digital education or e-health services unless every citizen in the country can avail of broadband.’
1. Why is the government making broadband a priority?
A tendering process will begin in December with the successful bidder or bidders rolling out the new broadband from the middle of 2016… The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources anticipates the plan will result in 85% of premises in Ireland having high-speed broadband by 2018 and 100% by 2020.
2. Private broadband providers will be able to tender (compete for a contract) to provide the service. How will this benefit Irish business?
