Introduction

The National Development Plan has prioritised the provision of broadband infrastructure throughout the country. In the B.M.W. region, including Donegal,
the programme is part funded by the
European Regional Development Fund. 
 

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Donegal County Council have agreed funding of over €11,000,000 for the construction of Metropolitan Area Networks (M.A.N.’s) in the following towns:

 - Donegal Town 
 - Ballybofey / Stranorlar 
 - Ballyshannon 
 - Buncrana 
 - Bundoran 
 - Carndonagh

  

Bunbeg and Letterkenny MAN's were constructed in Phase I in 2003 and are managed by E-Net on behalf of Donegal County Council and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Metropolitan Area Networks comprise fibre optic cable and ducting below ground through the major streets of each town along with the building of a co-location facility to house telecommunication equipment for suppliers of broadband telecommunication services. The project will comprise the installation of over 60km of network across the county.

These networks are considered by Donegal County Council to be of strategic importance to the county. When completed they will provide a publicly owned state of the art fibre optic system which can be used by private service providers to deliver broadband and advanced telecommunication services to residents, business and public bodies in the towns and surrounding areas.

The provision of better information and communications technology services has been shown to contribute to economic growth by allowing existing businesses to improve productivity as well as improving external investment opportunities. Many other benefits will also accrue from this technology including educational, medical, and leisure applications for the people of the county.

 

Status of Project

The design works for the project was carried out by Donegal County Council and its Project Manager Mc Mahon Design and Management during the first four months of 2006.  Following approval by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in July 2006 the project was awarded to the Clarke Group of Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. The construction works commenced on site August 2006 and were completed in 2007. The next phase for the project is the appointment by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources of a Management Sevices Entity (M.S.E.) to administer and promote the networks not only in Doenagl but elsewhere throughout the country. This is anticipated to be complete late 2007 early 2008.

Launch of the Donegal Regional Broadband Project

 

Links of Interest

Further queries should be addressed to regionalbroadband@donegalcoco.ie