Broadband strategy - Plan does not lack ambition

Announcing the national broadband plan yesterday, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte described broadband as “the rural electrification of the 21st century”.

He also announced a number of “ambitious” targets which, he said, would be met within the life of this Government.

Broadband may not be quite the great empowering and liberating force, especially for women, that rural electrification proved to be, but it is nevertheless an essential survival and development tool in today’s world.