Ireland’s Eircom has announced the launch of its new fibre-optic broadband network, with the telco noting that initially more than 300,000 premises will have access to services offered over the infrastructure, which can provide downlink speeds of up to 70Mbps. Looking ahead, by the end of 2013 Eircom has said it expects the network footprint to have expanded to cover more than 600,000 premises in total, while, when completed in early 2015, it will cover 1.2 million (or around 60% of) homes and businesses across Ireland. Further, the telco has confirmed that it aims to boost download speeds to up to 100Mbps within the next year.
Commenting on the launch, Eircom Group CEO Herb Hribar said: ‘Today is a significant milestone for Eircom Group. It is the first step in delivering what will be Ireland’s largest fibre broadband network. We are determined to maintain our position as the key provider of telecommunications in Ireland by delivering access to superfast broadband right across the country. Eircom will continue to actively review its plans to expand the network beyond 1.2 million premises as far and as wide as commercially possible.’