Fibre-optic broadband
is a first for Inishowen
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen
Independent
THERE has been widespread welcome in Carndonagh
following the activation of the town’s Metropolitan
Area Network (MAN) which provides the most modern
broadband and telecommunications available anywhere
in the world.
Raymond Doherty of the Carndonagh Community and
Rural Development group said that it would be a huge
boost in making the town attractive for outside
investment, while local TD Charlie McConalogue also
warmly welcomed the development.
“I have been pushing to get Metropolitan Area
Networks in Buncrana and Carndonagh into usage in
order to enhance the communications options
available to local businesses, and it is good to see
that the necessary 'backhaul' has now been connected
in Carndonagh and that the first customer is now
live,” Deputy McConalogue said.
“Usage of the Metropolitan Area Networks has been
very slow until now with the connection costs making
it prohibitive for a large proportion of potential
customers
“Hopefully with the network now being used in
Carndonagh, we may begin to see connection costs to
the network become a more affordable option for
additional users”.
Metropolitan Area Networks deliver broadband and
telecommunication services over a fibre optic
network that offers virtually unlimited upload and
download speeds.
Now that that Carndonagh MAN is live,
telecommunications providers such as Eircom or the
mobile phone companies can offer packages to
businesses or organizations who wish to use it.
Raymond Doherty, spokesman for the Carndonagh
Community Development Group, said that the
development was a tremendous boost for the town and
comparable with the advent of rural electrification
in Inishowen in the 1950s.
“Everyone remembers that the road was dug up to lay
these cables, but they were tarred over and no one
ever heard any more about it.
“We thought nothing was ever going to happen with
it, but we’re delighted to learn that the network is
now operating as it could help bring businesses to
the town.
“This type of infrastructure is something that
companies require and we will now contact Enterprise
Ireland and the IDA to let them know that Carn is
open and ready for business.
“This is as important as electricity and now that
one organisation has signed up for it, hopefully
other organisations like the local schools, library
and public services centre, as well as local
businesses, will be able to avail of it.”
“We will use this as a tool with which to challenge
the IDA and Enterprise Ireland when they talk about
Carn not being a ‘gateway town’.
“We’ll not accept any more excuses from them,” Mr
Doherty warned.
The Buncrana Metropolitan Area network is not yet
operational and Deputy McConalogue said that the
Minister for Communications should consider the
usage of the MAN system as part of the plan to bring
high speed broadband to second level schools in
order to ensure that the existing broadband
infrastructure can be put to good use. |
