Broadband provider addresses connection concerns at Wexford town estate – ‘Residents have access to up to 2GB from the day they move in’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Ireland’s second largest broadband company has moved to quell fears regarding the availability of high-speed fibre-optic connection at a Wexford town housing estate.

At the December meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), Councillor Jim Codd alleged that the new homes at The Paddocks in Coolcotts, which have a starting price of €395,000, do not have sufficient telecommunications infrastructure and will not be able to avail of National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) fibre-optic once complete.

“That development has no telecommunications infrastructure, there’s new houses going for almost half a million and they won’t be able to access an Eir landline, the only option is to piggyback on the ESB,” he said. “Will we have to dig up the footpaths there in the future? I’m reliably informed there’s no ducting going into the houses.”

Noting that WCC was acquiring homes in the first phase of the development, Cllr Codd said that without any ducting the only way to install fibre optics was “through the sewage pipes”.

“NBI has a budget of €2.6bn and it has promised to bring fibre to each and every house, to the best of my knowledge there’s no way of bringing fibre optic into those houses,” he added. “If we’re taking these houses on we don’t want to be digging up the paths in a year’s time.”

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, December 15

Confirming that WCC would be taking on some of the houses in The Paddocks, director of housing Carolyne Godkin said that if the council opted to take over the entire estate at a later date “the appropriate reports” would be carried out.

“Are we happy to give planning without fibre optic ducting?” asked Cllr Codd. “This leads us into a very difficult place, the only option for residents will be SIRO (broadband), the other providers won’t have access.”

Given that Cllr Codd’s query related to planning rather than housing, director of planning Liz Hore offered further information.

“Normally ducting would be provided (by the developer)”, she said. “In relation to that specific estate I’ll need to look into it and come back to you.”

Following the meeting, a spokesperson for SIRO contacted The Wexford People regarding the availability of its services at The Paddocks.

“SIRO can confirm that our fibre broadband network is live in The Paddocks estate, with its residents already using our full fibre service each day,” they said.

“The Paddocks is an A-rated, high spec, low density new housing development, built to the highest standards. SIRO has worked collaboratively, with its developer, Orchid Homes from an early stage, to roll out our 100pc fibre broadband network ensuring that all homes enjoy fast, reliable fibre broadband.

"As a result, The Paddocks residents have access to high speed – up to 2 Gigabits – high quality broadband from the day they move in.”

Noting that, as Ireland’s “second largest wholesale network operator” SIRO works with over 20 broadband retailers, including Sky, Vodafone, Virgin Media, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Blacknight and Carnsore, the spokesperson said that those living in The Paddocks have “a wide choice and competition in who they select as their preferred broadband supplier”.

“Our network is now available in 152 towns and cities, including in Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey and Courtown. We work with hundreds of developers, like Orchid Homes, to ensure that new developments and their residents can enjoy seamless, high performing fibre connectivity required for modern living.”

This story was amended on Wednesday December 17 at 12.07pm to include a statement from SIRO.