Initiative pledges high-speed broadband for rural areas

Rural Ireland is about to be catapulted into the internet age with high-speed broadband as fast as any of the cities, thanks to a joint EU and government investment.

The Irish approach, designed to bring the country from being one of the EU’s laggards to being a top performer, was a model for the rest of Europe according to regional policy commissioner Corina Cretu.

The effect of the development was spelt out by Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, who painted a picture of the farmhouse of the future with the agri-business entrepreneur managing her exports, her husband Skyping the bank manager, and their daughter studying online, while another family member receives specialist telemedicine care from specialists.