New broadband network will be 'a game-changer' for three Offaly towns

Representatives of SIRO, the broadband network operator, which is rolling out a full fibre broadband network across urban Ireland, told the May meeting of Offaly County Council that their company is bringing its network to three towns across Offaly this year. 

The councillors were very positive about the news. They pointed out that the new broadband network will be a game-changer for the three towns of Birr, Tullamore and Edenderry, because it will mean a much more efficient service and more workers will be able to avail of hybrid working, thereby significantly reducing their commuting time. 

SIRO's fibre powered broadband is superior to work Wi-Fi because it’s much smoother and faster. This superior service means that some people will be able to say goodbye to city life forever and work instead from more desirable locations.  

The roll out of fibre broadband began in 2020. Only 7% of premises have been connected so far, as part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). However, the government says the NBP is building up a head of steam and is expected to hit its 2026 target date. Some people are pointing out that the NBP is such a game-changer that it could be called the rural electrification of the 21st century. 

As more and more stories are being told of people being able to relocate from large urban areas to other parts of Ireland, because of the roll-out of fibre broadband, the councillors of Offaly County Council see its benefits and how it could improve the county. Cllr Seán O’Brien told the May meeting that SIRO build works are underway in Tullamore where 600 premises can already access SIRO fibre broadband. “The work so far has been excellent,” commented Cllr O’Brien. “SIRO is a very good company and isn’t letting us down. When this work is finished it will have a huge impact on Tullamore.” 

The roll out will include 9,000 homes and businesses across Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr. Build works have commenced in Edenderry also. The network roll-out in Birr is expected to start late 2023 and into 2024. 

The full fibre roll out in Tullamore will cover 4,500 premises, whereas Edenderry will cover 2,400 premises and Birr will cover 2,300 premises. 

Areas within Tullamore that will be covered under SIRO’s full fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): Oakfield, Limefield, Chancery Park Road, Clonminch Wood, Hophill, Charleville Road, Marian Place, Carraig Cluain, Eiscier End Road, Clontarf Road, Thornsberry Estate, O’Molloy Street.  

Areas within Edenderry that will be covered under SIRO’s full fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): The Sycamores, The Park, Killane Heights, Castleview Park, Kileden Lawn, Rectory Meadows, Assumption Road, Gilroy Avenue, Woodfield, Glenn na Carraige, Carrickhall Lane, Coneyburrow. 

Areas within Birr that will be covered under SIRO’s full fibre roll out include (but are not limited to): Meadowville, Meadow Brook, John’s Place, Connaught Street, Sandymount View, Compton Row, Hollypark Drive, High Street, Main Street, Demesne View, Fairview, Burke’s Hill, Woodlane. 

SIRO’s full fibre network offers speeds of up to 2 gigabit per second for homes, and up to 10 gigabits for enterprise connections. A SIRO representative told the Council meeting that 10 gigabits is a massive capacity. 

She said SIRO is a joint venture company between ESB and Vodafone, founded in 2015, and is focused on delivering full fibre broadband to Ireland’s towns and cities, but not rural areas. “SIRO’s fibre broadband network is built on the ESB electricity infrastructure, trusted for its reliability and resilience,” she said. “Overall, the company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.” 

John Keaney, CEO of SIRO, pointed out that full fibre broadband will have “a transformative effect” on Edenderry, Birr and Tullamore. “It will mean that these places will instantly become a more attractive place to do business, work flexibly, and live. The need for reliable, high quality, fibre connectivity grows each day as businesses operate using cloud technology, employees host meetings virtually, and more businesses use contactless and card payment methods each day. A lack of access to fast and reliable broadband connectivity can be a pain point for business and consumers when using the latest technologies. Full fibre broadband means a considerably better service.” 

Anna Marie Delaney, Offaly County Council CEO, pointed out that having access to SIRO’s full fibre network within the county will support economic development, investment into the county and job creation. “SIRO’s fibre broadband network,” she remarked, “will be an important addition for the county’s long-term growth and development. It will align with the Council’s broader economic growth strategy. It will sustain employment locally but also underpin the creation of the jobs of the future, particularly as digital technologies become ever more critical to so many business sectors based in Offaly.” 

SIRO is a wholesaler, and its broadband service is available to order from the following retailers in Offaly: Vodafone, Sky, Airwire, Pure, Digiweb, Fastcom Viatel, with more becoming available as the roll out progresses. 

Cllr Peter Ormond pointed out that there are quite a few indigenous industries in Birr, which are very important to the town, and which will greatly benefit from this roll out. 

Cllr Declan Harvey said it’s great to see the build works happening in Tullamore. “However, there’s a number of holes in the ground as a result,” he added. “Hopefully they will be filled quickly.” 

Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said it’s a pity the SIRO roll-out will only be happening in towns and not rural areas. A SIRO rep said the roll-out outside of towns will be done by National Broadband Ireland. She said it’s considerably more expensive to roll out fibre broadband in the countryside. Cllr Fitzpatrick said he was glad to hear that Portarlington will also be done.