Minister for Defence and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen, says he received confirmation from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that 16 towns and villages across the county are scheduled to receive broadband before the end of the year.

Minister Killeen said that 26 broadband exchanges have already been enabled since early 2009 when the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) began rolling out. The exchanges at Tulla and Kilkishen are also scheduled to be enabled by the end of 2010.

He explained: "Under the terms of the NBS contract all areas covered under the scheme, including the 16 communities yet to receive broadband services, are required to have broadband connectivity by the end of 2010.

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"The areas scheduled to receive broadband over the next three months include Rehy, Doonaha, Knock, Labasheeda, Moneypoint and Lissycasey in West Clare, Inagh, Ruan, Carron, Ballyvaughan, Craggagh and Behagh in North Clare, and Caher, Tulla, Kilkishen and Ogonnelloe in East Clare."

Minister Killeen noted that 3, the Hutchinson Whampoa company tasked with delivering the NBS, continues to progress its network rollout and NBS broadband services are now available in more than two thirds of the 1,028 designated Electoral Divisions to be covered under the scheme.

"The broadband penetration rate in County Clare has greatly improved since the NBS began rolling out in 2009. Already, 36 Clare communities have benefited under the scheme. In the last three months alone the exchanges at Kilmaley, Quin and Kildysart have been enabled delivering significant benefits for householders and local businesses alike," he noted.

Commenting on the potential for broadband services being delivered to communities not served under the NBS, Minister Killeen stated: “There are many parts of Clare that are not served by a viable and cost effective broadband service. The entrance into the telecommunications market of new wireless broadband providers coupled with the continued rollout of mobile broadband will help to increase the overall number of domestic and business subscribers.”

(GK)