Broadband ‘needs technical backup’

GOVERNMENT efforts to deliver broadband technology to rural Ireland are in danger of failing, unless they are complemented by the necessary technical back-up and content, a conference has heard.

The current approach is in danger of creating “white elephant” situations in small communities when the technical capability of broadband highways is not matched by an ability to provide meaningful content, the Connected Communities conference on regional internet development heard in Kilkenny yesterday.

The government’s Group Broadband Scheme was not doing enough to address the needs of smaller rural communities and was in danger of creating “information ghettos” in communities of less than 2,000 people, Managing Director of Community Publishing Ltd., Sean Breen said.

Speaking at the conference, which was organised by the South East Regional Authority, Mr Breen said that in communities without the critical mass of population and business to take advantage of what broadband had to offer, the highways would remain deserted unless they were complemented by the internet equivalent of local shuttle services like “Connected Communities” and relevant interesting destinations.

“Connected Communities” is a community-based internet and mobile information service which has been piloted in the South-East region for the last 12 months.