Ireland in line for high-speed broadband funding under European scheme

A SCHEME to make millions of euro available for nationwide high-speed broadband, cheap green energy and fast transport links to the centre of Europe has been welcome by the Government as a vital step toward creating growth and jobs.

The scheme would use EU money to make it attractive and almost risk-free for private investors to get involved in projects worth about €50 billion across the EU over the next six years.

Europe is lagging behind in fast broadband, which covers less than 3% of users compared to 12% in Japan.