Leitrim benefitting from enhanced connectivity

The Covid-19 pandemic and its change in work practices has enhanced the importance of ensuring the rollout of the National Broadband Plan in Leitrim, with government investing €56 million and over 10,000 commercial premises signing up to the scheme which will deliver high-speed broadband and enhance job creation and remote work opportunities for Leitrim’s 36,000 residents.

Broadband connectivity

In terms of broadband connectivity, the Government is investing €56 million worth of high-speed broadband infrastructure in County Leitrim. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a network of ducting and fibre optic cable, has been installed in Carrick-on-Shannon and Manorhamilton. This can be used to provide services including telecoms, internet access, television, telematics, and CCTV.

The targets of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) include:

• between 70Mbps and 100Mbps available to at least 50 per cent of the population with a majority having access to 100Mbps;

• at least 40Mbps, and in many cases much faster speeds, to at least a further 20 per cent of the population and potentially as much as 35 per cent around smaller towns and villages; and

• a minimum of 30Mbps available to all properties, no matter how rural and remote.

County Leitrim will benefit from the rollout of several government-led broadband schemes including the Rural Broadband Scheme and Broadband for Schools, providing a strong advancement in relation to the digital infrastructure that has taken place within the telecommunications sector in the county.

Future of work

The Covid-19 pandemic with its associated social distancing has led to a paradigm shift in terms of accepting remote work and social practices and these have become extensively prevalent. It is anticipated that many of the trends that developed in response to Covid-19 will remain, potentially speeding up the reliance on broadband.

Furthermore, the county is part of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC). Under this platform, the AEC Hub Network has been developed which classifies all enterprise hubs and co-working spaces along the AEC. From this, a shared online booking system has been developed to coordinate and promote the facilities. County Leitrim has nine digital hubs within this project offering hot desk, co-working, and office accommodation for those looking for flexible office accommodation.