Rural broadband scheme funds axed

Three Ireland has said there will be "virtually no price change" for 85% of its rural customers following the Government’s withdrawal of funding for the National Broadband Scheme (NBS).

The company has been paid some €80m since 2008 to bring broadband to parts of Ireland where it was previously unavailable.

However, this funding is set to expire at midnight on August 25, and Three Ireland is set to charge a “competitive” rate for providing the service.