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.