Consumers ‘back’ broadband policy

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern said the pattern of new users signing up for broadband access was “a vote of confidence from the consumer” that has endorsed Government policies aimed at increasing competition and bringing internet access costs down.

Mr Ahern said the rate of new connections stood at 2,000 per week. Recent European Commission figures showed Ireland near the bottom of the EU table for broadband take-up, with internet access costs among the highest in the union.