We lag EU in fast net take-up

BROADBAND take-up levels in Ireland are the second-lowest in the EU, while access costs are among the highest, according to the European Commission.

A report presented at yesterday's meeting of EU communications ministers in Dundalk showed Irish broadband penetration at just 0.9% of the population.

Only Greece has less availability of high-speed internet access, at 0.1%. This compares with an EU average of 6.1% and is far behind leading countries like Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands with approximately 12%.