350,000 people to get broadband under scheme

BROADBAND internet access will be made available to more than 350,000 people in 80 towns around the country under a Government action plan to be announced today.

Under the plan a new Group Broadband Scheme, which is aimed at rural areas and towns with a population of more than 1,500 will see broadband services rolled-out to towns such as Cavan, Monaghan, Maynooth and Carrigaline.

Every year between now and 2007 35m annually will be spent connecting community broadband exchanges and strategic fibre.