Fears for broadband plan as Eir withdraws from bidding

Communications Minister Denis Naughten has played down fears for the future of the national broadband plan after one of the last two companies competing for the contract pulled out of the bidding process.

He said the withdrawal of Eir, leaving only a consortium led by Enet and SSE, could actually speed up the final contract negotiations and the subsequent delivery of high-speed broadband to half a million homes and businesses.

He dismissed concerns Enet would now have the upper hand in negotiations, allowing it to raise the price of the project. He said there was a ‘plan B’ for proceeding without Enet-SSE if the final price quoted was too high.