OVERVIEW ON BROADBAND SERVICES IN COUNTY LEITRIM. Prepared by Leitrim County Council Internal Working Group OCTOBER

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1 OVERVIEW ON BROADBAND SERVICES IN COUNTY LEITRIM Prepared by Leitrim County Council Internal Working Group OCTOBER

2 Contents 1 Introduction Executive Summary Broadband Technology What is Broadband? Broadband Speed Predicable Costs Download Caps Reliability of service Choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) Broadband Service in Leitrim Broadband to the County through Backhaul Main Broadband Service Types in Leitrim Landline Broadband Mobile Broadband Wireless broadband Satellite Broadband Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Leitrim Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN s) enet & Connecting to MAN Leitrim Broadband Improvement National Broadband Plan Actions Specific to Local Authorities Analysis of Broadband in Leitrim Business Broadband Survey Report Future Actions for Ensuring Broadband is an Enabler in Leitrim s Economic and Social Development Infrastructure Responses Awareness Responses Business and Education Responses Community Initiative Responses: Strategic Responses Conclusion Appendix 1: Library Internet Access & P.C. s available for public use Appendix 2: Department of Communications Energy & Natural Resources National broadband Plan Main Programme Deliverables Appendix 3: Glossary of Internet & Broadband Terms Appendix 4: Leitrim Broadband Coverage Maps October

3 1 INTRODUCTION Broadband services are crucial to achieve the productivity growth necessary to improve competitiveness, sustain incomes, and ensure Leitrim captures new opportunities for business and jobs across all areas of the County. Furthermore it is now seen as a basic requirement for households and families to assist them with knowledge, education, leisure and overall better quality of life. There is concern that Leitrim lags behind in the provision of widely available, competitively priced broadband service access compared to other more urbanised areas and those with which we compete for trade and investment. The objective of Leitrim County Council is to ensure that the county is well placed to meet and exceed the telecommunications needs of businesses, institutions and households, to attract new business, to assist in the expansion of existing businesses and to encourage entrepreneurial start-ups. This Guide has been developed to help the reader understand what is meant by broadband, provides a reference of how Leitrim is performing in broadband coverage and to define and outline the various methods and technologies through which broadband is available in the county. Furthermore the Guide summarises the current programme of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to deliver the proposed State-led intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). This plan outlines the importance of the availability of high quality and reliable broadband to the achievement of Ireland s economic and social objectives and what needs to be done to deliver Next Generation Access (NGA) high speed broadband services across the country. In particular, the plan sets out commitment to a State-led intervention where it is evident that the commercial sector will not deliver. The plan envisages that the State-led intervention would provide reliable broadband services at high speeds (30Mbps download) per subscriber through fibre (or equivalent technology) connectivity sufficiently close to the user premises. The overarching strategic objective of the intervention is to ensure that all citizens and businesses have the opportunity to access high speed broadband. The guide outlines Leitrim County Council s future actions for ensuring broadband is an enabler in Leitrim s economic and social development concluding with a useful set of appendices showing coverage maps of existing Internet Service Providers in Leitrim and a glossary of internet and broadband terms. 3

4 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Broadband connectivity is essentially a high-speed telecommunications link. To put it simply, the word broadband refers to a form of high speed always on connection to the internet. Acceptable broadband requires sufficient download and upload speeds. The typical industry standard for measuring internet / broadband access is the download speed which is measured in Mbps meaning Megabits Per Second. The better the network is, the faster the speed leading to a much greater range of capabilities and services. Basic broadband is generally considered to be 1-3Mbps while Next Generation Broadband speeds can range from those delivering up to 24Mbps download speeds to 100Mbps and higher. When it comes to picking a broadband package from a service provider there are many options available regarding speeds and data limits. Speed will determine how fast content can be downloaded, whereas the download allowance will determine how much data in Giga Bytes can be downloaded in a particular billing period. Depending on how it is planned to use the internet, these two factors are key to ensuring that a customer does not overpay or underpay for broadband access. Independent and impartial broadband package comparisons are available on the Commission for Communications Regulation website Broadband connection to County Leitrim is through the Backhaul Network. This is the part of the network which carries large amounts of data between regional base stations back to the centre of the telecommunications data network generally through optical fibre. Several companies operate national fibre optic networks including Eircom, BT Ireland, ESB/Vodafone and UPC Ireland. There are five main forms of broadband access in Leitrim which currently are: The ordinary copper telephone landline, using advanced technologies ISDN, and ADSL suite of technologies. Mobile phone network Broadband (3G, 4G, HSDPA) High-speed radio technology from local hilltop transmitters (wireless broadband). Satellite Broadband from space using a specialised satellite dish Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) mainly for the business and services sectors in Carrick-On- Shannon and Manorhamilton All these technologies have advantages and limitations which are dependent on location, availability, download speeds, data limits and service provider pricing or package offerings, but because of population distribution in Leitrim and the topography of the county, consumers in many locations may currently be restricted to one service provider or broadband technology type to allow them access to broadband. There are a lot of factors involved that influence the decision on the choice of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) but the primary one has to be acceptable coverage in a subscriber s area. The mapping detail in appendix 4 shows the ISP s area of coverage in Leitrim based on known providers as of October This information is based on the ISP s coverage as provided by them directly or through their websites coverage information. It is generally the consensus that many parts of County Leitrim are not adequately served with broadband coverage for today s requirements. The Government is addressing this through the Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources with the National Broadband Plan, which is intended to provide Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband in sparsely populated areas that will not be serviced adequately by the commercial sector. This proposed intervention will involve an end-to-end strategy for the delivery of quality and reliable high speed broadband that includes a major fibre build- 4

5 out to rural areas. This intervention will involve the delivery of long term, future proofed infrastructure build with next generation fibre backhaul infrastructure as the key component underpinning whatever access technology delivers the service (fixed or wireless). By focusing on a long term, future proofed infrastructure build with fibre as the key component, the intervention will ensure that the solution delivered is capable of scaling up to meet future demand and will address current connectivity challenges particularly in rural areas, in a meaningful and sustainable way. Proposals for funding access infrastructure in the most remote areas will also be considered, where roll out of next generation backhaul infrastructure will either be insufficient to stimulate access investment by network operators / service providers or where the cost of such investment is prohibitive. A comprehensive mapping process by the Department is underway to definitively assess where the commercial sector will provide high speed broadband over the coming years. This will also identify those areas where a State intervention will be necessary. To date, over 1,000 such locations have been identified as target areas for the proposed fibre based connections. This includes 33 locations in County Leitrim. This is an initial indicative list of locations to be identified for Next generation Access as part of the State intervention under the National Broadband Plan. Further locations may be identified as the mapping process continues. Similarly, it may be determined that some of the locations will be addressed by the commercial sector and accordingly will not require a State intervention. The mapping exercise will be published before end of 2014 and will show (a) the areas of planned commercial investment by 2016 and (b) the remaining areas, which will be the focus of the Government s intervention. A public consultation will be launched on the maps, and on the technical standards that will apply to the State intervention. EU State aid clearance will be required for the intervention once the strategy is finalised. This will be followed by a detailed procurement process in the second half of 2015 with a view to commencing the roll out of high speed broadband services as quickly as possible thereafter. In order to comply with State aid rules, it is proposed that any investment in next generation backhaul infrastructure and, where appropriate, next generation access (NGA) infrastructure by Government will only take place in areas where no such infrastructure is deployed or is likely to be deployed commercially in the near future. In parallel with the NBP, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. Commercial operators combined have either invested, or committed to invest, over 2 billion in their Irish networks which will deliver broadband speeds of 30Mbps to 200Mbps to homes and businesses. Leitrim County Council has established an Internal Working Group to ensure that there is clear mapping of all broadband services available in the county. A second element is to provide information on the coverage, indicative costs and company contacts to all potential users. The Council continues to examine and strive for improved broadband coverage in the county through; Engagement with the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources Ongoing interaction with services providers, consumers, and businesses through information provision, surveys and workshops Providing access to broadband terminals and facilities in Council buildings Ensuring that broadband development is central to the Council s Economic Development and Corporate Plans. 5

6 Continued initiatives by the Council include: Infrastructure 1. Ensure a streamlined process for road-opening licenses to ensure that there is one contact point who can liaise quickly with the relevant area office for that area to ensure a quick delivery and turnaround. This may also involve having an on-line application system which broadband providers would use. 2. Ensure ducting is installed alongside improvements to road network or new housing estates where feasible. 3. In addition the Council will facilitate, subject to Planning Legislation, the erection of broadband infrastructure on existing Council sites or structures, provided same will enhance the service available within the County. 4. Interact with the CCMA to consider a consistent national streamlined approach for the granting of way leaves. Awareness 5. Have the Broadband Overview Report 2014 available in the following locations: a. Each library, at public computer section where those less likely to have their own broadband will avail of it b. In the LEO office for potential businesses to browse c. On both the and website d. In Enterprise centres such as the HIVE, Food Hub and enterprise centres in Manorhamilton, Ballinamore, Mohill and Drumshanbo 6. Provide an annual induction day for planners and development staff on telecommunication updates which would ensure staff are up to date on new initiatives and plans for broadband rollout technology. Business and Education 7. Through the Local Enterprise Office explore and share opportunities of rural enterprises with good broadband infrastructure and demonstrate the potential opportunities available to business, with innovative use of broadband. 8. Organise, as part of the schools enterprise competition, a sub-section looking at innovative uses of broadband and highlight the potential opportunities and awareness to children of school going age and their families. 9. Work with education providers to increase the range of courses available on-line by allowing access to Council buildings that have both internet computer and classroom potential. Community Initiative 10. As part of the new PPN Structure, include information on the Broadband Report in meetings in each of the Municipal District Areas. 6

7 11. As part of the promotion of the report, the libraries will be encouraged to again highlight the availability of broadband access through the library network (See appendix 1 for details). Strategic 12. Work with business interests to look more directly at broadband and its potential to act as an economic development enabler. 13. The issues that have emerged in this report will form part of the Leitrim County Council Economic Plan and be included in the Local Economic and Community Plan. 14. Coordinate the preparation of a single submission on the National Broadband Action Plan based upon the feedback and concerns of Elected Members and the Executive. 15. Prioritise engagement with the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources to ensure Leitrim is sufficiently provided for in the implementation of the National Broadband Plan. This Guide to Broadband is designed to inform the reader of the various technologies and terminology related to broadband, how broadband is provided and service providers through which citizens and businesses in Leitrim can avail of a broadband service. It further outlines plans for next Generation Access (NGA) in the county through the commercial sector and the National Broadband Plan which includes a major fibre build-out to rural areas which will not be served by the commercial sector. Finally the guide outlines Leitrim County Council s prioritisation of supporting and facilitating where possible the delivery of broadband and Next Generation Broadband Access to all citizens in the county. It is hoped the Overview Guide will provide a useful reference to citizens of County Leitrim. 7

8 3 BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY 3.1 WHAT IS BROADBAND? Broadband connectivity is essentially a high-speed telecommunications link. To put it simply, the word broadband refers to a form of high speed always on connection to the internet. Broadband infrastructure is a transformative infrastructure, with the capacity to change what people do and the way they do it. Broadband has enabled innovation, growth and the Information and Communications Technology industry. New products include online entertainment and games, while new ways of doing business include online trading and the provision of services electronically, for example public information services, education and Government. There are quite a few ways you can connect to broadband like with a 'fixed line broadband' connection at home, where you can connect your device to a modem with a cable, or use radio waves to connect devices with a wireless connection. You can also have a mobile broadband connection like with a USB modem which makes a wireless connection to mobile phone towers to give you fast internet. You can also get broadband through a satellite dish, or on an internet-connected mobile phone. There are five main forms of broadband access in Leitrim - ADSL broadband (via a telephone landline), mobile broadband (using the mobile service providers 3G/ 4G/HSDPA signal), wireless broadband from local hilltop transmitters, satellite broadband from space and for businesses, Metropolitan Area Networks in Carrick-On-Shannon and Manorhamilton. 3.2 BROADBAND SPEED The typical industry standard for measuring internet / broadband access in simple terms is the download speed which is measured in Mbps meaning Megabits Per Second. This is a measure of data transfer speed where a megabit is equal to one million bits of digital information. The minimum capacity for a broadband connection, and that most commonly provided, is 3 to 24 Mbps. Although this capacity is reasonably adequate for many of today s applications, as we move forward into the Information Society many customers are already demanding increased bandwidth of 30 Mbps to 50 Mbps,100 Mbps and higher. The better the network is, the faster the speed of data transmission and the greater the capacities that can be delivered. While there is no definitive definition of next generation broadband access (NGA or NGB), it does entail higher speeds than basic broadband, which is generally considered to be 1-3Mbps. Next generation broadband speeds can range from those delivering up to 24Mbps download speeds to 100Mbps and higher. Current plans for Broadband in Ireland are for Next Generation Access (NGA) where minimum speed will be 30Mbps and this is the standard being set by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources under the National Broadband Plan for delivery to all premises in the State. 8

9 The speed is an important factor to consider as it is evidence of how much information can be received and sent using your internet connection. The faster your internet connection, the more you can do simultaneously. There are two key factors that determine how fast your broadband connection is and they are: The connection type: Broadband using state of the art fibre-optics is the quickest available on the market, while ADSL broadband over existing phone line connections are generally quicker than mobile broadband connections which is received in areas of 3G / 4G / HSDPA mobile phone coverage. Your location: Generally if you live in an urban area you will most likely have a faster broadband connection. Additionally, with ADSL broadband and some types of fibre broadband the distance of your house from the telephone exchange has a bearing on the speed that you can expect. Service providers generally advertise their broadband internet access speed in Mega Bits Per Second (Mbps) with many in urban centres offering 50Mbps or 100Mbps. By checking the download speed a user can easily compare the test result to their broadband plan's speed and see if they are getting roughly the service they are paying for. A useful website to measure internet speed is By default Speedtest.net measures your connection download and upload speeds in Mbps. The speed test measures the most important link in your connection the link between the user and the Internet Service provider (ISP) using the server that is geographically closest to you. This piece of the connection is viewed as the most important in terms of broadband access as this stretch is most likely to slow your internet speed, since it is difficult and expensive for providers to build connections to every house and business. No matter how fast your provider's network is your connection will only be as fast as the last segment of connection between the end-user and the ISP server. Most service providers configure their connections to favour download speeds over upload speeds, because there is far more demand for downloading content than uploading. The download speed refers to the speed at which you download from the internet, for example, downloading music, watching videos, viewing web pages. However upload speeds are important for uploading files and attachments particularly for businesses so this needs to be taken into account also. The upload speed relates to the speed at which information is sent back from computer to internet, for example, when making a Skype call or for online gaming. The website also tests uploads speeds. For modern internet applications, examples of the speeds needed are as follows: Skype (source: Skype Support) For voice calls: 0.1 Mbps download / 0.1 Mbps upload For video calls: 0.5 Mbps download / 0.5 Mbps upload For HD video calls: 1.5 Mbps download / 1.5 Mbps upload An important note: these connection speed requirements include downloading and uploading at the same time. Netflix (source: Netflix Help) Recommended broadband connection speed: 1.5 Mbps download For HD quality: 5.0 Mbps download 9

10 YouTube (source: YouTube Help) Recommended: at least 0.5 Mbps download YouTube offers several quality levels for videos. The lower numbers (360p) indicate that the video is smaller and uses less bandwidth, but is also less detailed. The more detailed the video (480p, 720p, or 1080p), the more bandwidth it takes to stream. Choose the highest video quality that allows you to stream without repeated stops and starts. Spotify (source: Spotify FAQ) Recommended (standard quality on web and desktop, high quality on mobile): 0.15 Mbps Broadband internet means a fast internet connection, which has surpassed the original dial up internet connection which was much slower. The introduction of broadband has made it possible to watch live broadcasts over the internet, download music and films much more quickly, as well as do anything a dial up connection was capable of, only much quicker. However, your location can have an effect on the maximum speed of your internet connection. Internet Connection Time Lapse to load webpage (seconds) Average Time to download one song (mins/seconds) Video Quality (Streaming) 56k dial up modem 14 12m30s Very Poor 256k broadband 3 3m Poor 512k broadband 1.6 1m30s Low 1Mb broadband s Watchable 2Mb broadband s Good 4Mb broadband 0.1 5s Good 6Mb broadband Instantly Instantly Excellent 8Mb broadband Instantly Instantly As good as your TV 50Mb broadband Instantly Instantly Instant HD TV Broadband Speeds and Corresponding Application s Source: EU Commission, 2010, European Broadband: investing in digitally driven growth 10

11 3.3 PREDICABLE COSTS Broadband also has an impact on cost. Monthly payments are usually fixed at a flat rate, with a generous maximum download limit. A variety of package offerings from internet service providers generally allow users pick a competitive package to best suit their needs. Considerable savings can also be made by subscribing to combined telephone and/or television services, and broadband. For independent and impartial broadband package comparisons visit the Commission for Communications Regulation website DOWNLOAD CAPS Internet Service Provider may impose a CAP (download limit) on the amount of data that can be downloaded in a particular pay period or per the terms of the bundle signed up to. This is generally measured in GigaBytes (GB) Not every ISP imposes a limit on how much data you can download with your Internet connection. Where download limits are imposed, they can range from as little as 4GB per month to 15GB or even as high as 250Gb per month. 4 gigabytes is about the amount of data that would fit on six CD-ROM's. The following table gives an example of what download limits mean in simpler terms. Usage (Gb per month) Allowance Number of web pages (assuming 100 kilobytes of data per page) Number of songs (assuming 1 song is a 5 megabyte MP3 file) 4Gb 42, (about 80 albums) 8Gb 84, (about 160 albums) 20Gb 210, (about 400 albums) No Limit No Limit No Limit Note: all figures are approximate. Note that ISP s can allow consumers to exceed their data bundle limits if such exists but additional charges will apply. It would be very difficult to exceed a download limit just browsing the Web but if you are going to use your connection to download or stream a lot of audio or video files or to download a lot of software then download limits will have to be considered. If you spend several hours per day online, perhaps making use of online radio stations, or online gaming, then it's surprising just how much of a data allowance will be used. 3.5 RELIABILITY OF SERVICE Currently, cable or wired broadband is generally viewed as the most reliable form of broadband connection available. To simplify things, it normally connects into the telecoms enabled cabinet which should be not too far away from premises. This means that there is less copper wiring required. Landline ADSL will work as long as the telephone line works. Problems with ADSL broadband connections can arise when there is too great a distance from premises to the actual phone exchange, or the quality of the line is poor. In both instances broadband speeds can suffer as a result of these factors. People who live in more rural locations can experience such difficulties. There are further complexities with how the actual line is distributed or shared with individual properties. 11

12 3G/4G/HSDPA mobile broadband connections are only as reliable as a normal mobile phone service. In other words, it is very good in strong signal areas, but in particular areas and at peak times they can be subject to a drop in the signal quality. Satellite broadband only needs a clear view of the Southern sky. The primary reason satellite Internet isn t as reliable as cable Internet is due to the way it s delivered (via signal rather than wire). Signals from satellites can be weakened or blocked by inclement weather and sun spots. Trees, mountains or other structures can also block your satellite from receiving a signal. Satellite Internet is available almost everywhere. For those who live in rural areas that are not serviced by a cable or wireless provider, satellite Internet is the only option for high-speed connection. Wireless broadband using long-range directional antennae is often used to provide broadband service in remote or sparsely populated areas.the transmitter must generally have line of sight view to the base station and not be blocked by landscape or high buildings. This technology can be affected by severe weather. 3.6 CHOOSING AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP) There are a lot of factors involved that can and should influence your decision to choose an ISP but the primary one has to be acceptable coverage in your area. The mapping data in appendix 4 shows ISP s area of coverage in Leitrim based on known providers as of October This information is based on information feedback directly from the providers or included on their respective websites. When a number of service providers are identified for a particular area the following should be considered when narrowing the decision to one ISP for the provision of broadband. Speed Reliability How fast do you need your Internet access to be? What access speed can the ISP provide? Is it consistent? How reliable is the service? Are they always available or do they have frequent down times? Ask people that use this provider about their experience, either in person or in Newsgroups online. Price How expensive is the service? Do they have a plan for unlimited access for one monthly fee? How much is it and how does it compare to other ISPs? Other Fees Are there any other charges, such as a one-time setup fee? Bundles Besides the Internet access, what else is on offer? Additions such as satellite TV or home phone connections may be on offer along with access to hotspots when on the go. 24/7 Tech Support Do they have Tech Support? If so, when are they available? Monday through to Friday, 9-5? Or 24 hours, seven days a week? How can you reach support? By , phone? Is there a charge for contacting support such a premium or high rate phone numbers? Contention Ratio This refers to the maximum number of users who might be sharing the resources of a connection at any one time A low contention ratio such as 10:1 or 15:1 is desirable but may be more costly. When selecting an internet service provider, the buyer is advised to review guidance offered by the Communications regulator ComReg through the website which offers practical guidance and price comparisons on packages offered by various internet service providers. 12

13 4 BROADBAND SERVICE IN LEITRIM 4.1 BROADBAND TO THE COUNTY THROUGH BACKHAUL Backhaul is the connection over which traffic is carried from a local aggregation node such as a street cabinet or telephone exchange back to an internet gateway. Backhaul can be provided using different types of technology with fibre being consistently dominant. Essentially there are three flavours of backhaul local, regional and national: Local backhaul takes traffic from the primary connection point (PCP), back to a local aggregation point or node. Typically the PCP will be one of the green street cabinets operated by Eircom, used as an access point for a communications provider involved in sub-loop unbundling, and the aggregation point will be the local Eircom exchange. Regional backhaul collects traffic from the local aggregation node and delivers it to an aggregation point where a national backhaul provider has a point of presence (POP). Here it connects to the national backhaul network. However, aggregation point need not be an Eircom exchange. Other providers have similar connection points. National backhaul takes traffic from the regional aggregation point to a telehouse for internet breakout and onward delivery to the network. As above, the national link can be provided by various providers. The backhaul network needs to have enough capacity to serve aggregated traffic demand from the entire community it serves. End-users do not all use the network simultaneously but the network should still be able to handle peak demand. Manorhamilton Sligo Carrick-On-Sh annon 13

14 The national Backhaul very high capacity fibre optical networks (telecommunications highways ), used to transport large quantities of information between the towns and cities of Ireland are shown above. Telecommunications operators manage these backhaul, or core networks. 4.2 MAIN BROADBAND SERVICE TYPES IN LEITRIM The main methods of accessing the internet in Leitrim currently are: The ordinary copper telephone landline, using advanced technologies ISDN, and ADSL suite of technologies. Mobile phone network Broadband (3G, 4G, HSDPA) High-speed radio technology (wireless broadband). Satellite Broadband MANS (Metropolitan Area Networks) in Carrick-On-Shannon and Manorhamilton LANDLINE BROADBAND Initially when the internet emerged homes and businesses accessed the internet through a dial-up modem connecting their PC to the phone line and the connection was made on an as needed basis. Whilst on the internet the telephone was unavailable and speeds were very slow for internet access. Technology improvements led to the delivery of telephone line broadband through what is technically referred to as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). ADSL2+ is an improvement on DSL technology and offers even higher speed broadband access from traditional ADSL lines. A special device known as a modem or router is normally supplied by the service provider so that the phone and internet can be used simultaneously. The modem or router can be connected by a cable directly to the computer device or as is becoming more common, the router may have a localised wireless capability (WiFi) where wireless devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones connect wirelessly to the router within the premises but the internet connection to the router from the outside world is by wire over the telephone line. This is also what is used in locations, such as airports hotels and cafes where people can access broadband on a wireless-enabled laptop, tablet or smartphone. For ADSL to be available to you, your local telephone exchange must be enabled by the telecoms provider. In the event that your local exchange is not enabled, you will be unable to access the internet over your phone line. The quality of the service is dependent on distance from the exchange (generally you must be within 3km of the exchange or cabinet) and also the contention ratio which refers to the maximum number of users who might be sharing the resources of a connection at any one time. Although you must have a telephone line connected to an enabled exchange, there are many ADSL Internet providers to choose from, each offering a selection of different packages. A map of exchanges in Leitrim which are enabled or are planned to be enabled by 2016 is located in Appendix 4. 14

15 Advantages Uses existing telephone wires Allows faster connection speed. Though there will always be speed variations, typical speeds of 24Mbps are available to many homes. Bundle options - Customers benefit by saving money, when broadband and calls and potentially TV are bundled together. Download allowances - Broadband deals that come with unlimited download allowance can be much more beneficial for heavy internet users. Generally unlimited broadband is much more widely available with home broadband deals. Price Competiveness in the market has made home bundles much better value. However customers may have to pay a line rental fee, but this is usually included in the cost of each broadband package. Limitations Distance from exchange effects speed. Requires a landline phone. Older phone line technology in some areas can prevent broadband access. Can be affected by contention ratio MOBILE BROADBAND Internet access is common on a mobile broadband connection where a USB modem (dongle) plugs into your laptop or device and uses mobile phone towers to access the internet. Smartphones directly display internet and s in this way. This is useful if you need the internet when you're out and about, or if you live in an area with good mobile phone coverage. Mobile broadband access is provided to customers through a mobile phone signal, which is 3G or 4G enabled. 3G mobile broadband has been around for some time but advances in technology mean that 4G mobile broadband which provides connections speeds up to five times faster is becoming more available in Ireland. Both 3G and 4G mobile broadband work by using technologies called HSDPA and HSUPA. These two technologies complement each other to deliver high internet speeds to a mobile device, wherever that device is. Internet access varies from one area to another. In practice, the way that 3G mobile broadband is transmitted means that the strength of up to 21Mbps are available in certain places, such as town centres, while in some regions more commonly rural areas speeds can be far lower or even completely non-existent to provide internet access at acceptable speeds. While 4G offers far higher download and upload speeds, it is transmitted in the same way as 3G so the same issues of speed variations from one region to another will occur. The rollout of 4G networks in Ireland has commenced in high population areas. 4G mobile broadband will enable more data to be transmitted at a much quicker rate, making more efficient use of the existing mobile airwaves than has ever been managed before. However it remains to be seen if 4G will have widespread availability. MiFi units, are small wireless portable broadband devices that connect to a 3G or 4G mobile phone signal through a provided mobile operator SIM card and can then provide a WiFi wireless internet connection within a radius of 30 meters for up to five devices such as laptops, Smartphone s and tablets. This is sometimes referred to as a wireless HotSpot. 15

16 Advantages Can be used on the move. Some packages very cost effective for voice and internet on smartphones Flexibility - Easy to install and setup and the portable nature of mobile modems, including the likes of dongles and MiFis, which are required for 3G and 4G mobile broadband, mean that you can connect to the net wherever there's sufficient mobile phone coverage. Easily shared between devices. No additional wires or cabling necessary. No landline necessary Providers such as Vodafone, 02, Three, Meteor and Eircom and Tesco Mobile are investing heavily in new 4G mobile broadband technology in urban centres which should have knock-on beneficial consequences in areas currently only receiving 2G signals. Limitations Coverage maybe intermittent. More likely to have download limitations (Caps) where additional costs may be incurred Though 3G mobile broadband will be suitable for the majority of internet use, when web applications are more demanding it can seem a touch slow at times 3G mobile broadband is the most widely used. The maximum speed of home fixed line connections, if available, are invariably faster however WIRELESS BROADBAND Not to be confused with WiFi which refers to wireless internet access generally within a building from a fixed internal wireless router, wireless broadband is a technology that connects a home or business to the Internet using a radio link between the customer s location and the service provider s mast or facility. A fixed wireless internet service is normally delivered by line-of-sight radio transmission, which is received by a small box like antenna in or on the users premises. This provides an always-on broadband connection. The transmitter must generally have line of sight view to the base station although this is not a strict rule. This technology using long-range directional antennae is often used to provide broadband service in remote or sparsely populated areas where wired broadband is limited or non-existent. Speeds are generally comparable to ADSL. Several small Wireless Internet Services Providers (WISPs) provide wireless broadband in this region. Advantages Does not require a landline Cost effective for remote areas Easy to install Limitations Usually has download limit It is generally dependent on line of sight Contention Ratio can slow down access speeds (This refers to the maximum number of users who might be sharing the resources of a connection at any one time, a contention ratio of 50:1 would mean that the maximum number of people you could be sharing the connection with at anytime is 49 other people. 16

17 4.2.4 SATELLITE BROADBAND In Leitrim because of topography and demographics many homes are in a location where broadband access through mobile, wireless or fixed line broadband is unreliable or simply unavailable because commercial providers cannot justify the investment required based on expected returns. This is why satellite broadband in rural Ireland is a very useful alternative and is a useful and effective solution in such circumstances. Available to almost everyone, it provides a reliable connection to the internet, no matter how remote the location. Just as satellites orbiting the earth provide necessary links for telephone and television service, they can also provide links for broadband. Satellite broadband is the best current option for serving remote or sparsely populated areas. The major benefit of satellite broadband is that it provides an internet connection to any home. It is set up in a household through the installation of a satellite dish and it provides speedy internet to get you online wherever you live. There are no coverage limitations when it comes to satellite broadband (other than where a home might be closely surrounded by large trees for example), which means that the internet is accessible from any location. Occasionally heavy rain and snow can affect signal quality and very high winds can displace a satellite dish trajectory. Satellite broadband service is over 180 times faster than dial-up and quicker than many fixed-line ADSL broadband connections, or 3G connections from the mobile phone networks. Download speeds reach up to 20Mbps, allowing users to accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently, and there are also cheaper options available with speeds up to 2Mbps. Downstream and upstream speeds for satellite broadband depend on several factors, including the provider and service package purchased or the consumer s line of sight to the orbiting satellite. For those with little or no fixed-line broadband, satellite broadband could be the answer, and it s available across the county. Details of satellite broadband providers are shown in appendix 4. Advantages Global availability No phone or cable wiring required. Limitations More expensive installation costs Latency/delay in signal transmission High Bandwidth for areas with no DSL, Cable etc. Advances in the technology mean satellite broadband is constantly improving 17

18 4.2.5 METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN) A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network of ducting and fibre optic cable laid within a metropolitan area which can be used to provide internet and telecommunications services. MANs enable telecommunications companies to provide industry and business with effective alwayson high-speed access to the internet. It is also available for educational institutes, health and research bodies and private consumers. These are fibre-based and technology neutral resilient networks, which will ensure adequate future-proofed capacity. This optical fibre cable will give businesses up to several gigabytes of bandwidth and access to the backhaul network to the international community. The MANs operate on an open-access basis meaning that all authorised operators (carriers) can have access. This model is contrary to traditional operators exclusivity of network, and allows for competition in a way that has not previously happened. For example, in any given MAN town, multiple carriers can provide high bandwidth services, such as superfast broadband, over the network. The MAN s will provide a high bandwidth network that is available to all authorised operators, enabling them to sell high capacity broadband and telephony services to end users. 4.3 LEITRIM METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS (MAN S) The MAN service in Leitrim is laid in the urban areas Carrick-On-Shannon and Manorhamilton. The advantage of having a MAN system in two of Leitrim s largest towns is the opportunities it provides for high quality, high speed access for business and premises through a variety of connection types such as mobile, upgrading of local exchanges (Local Loop Unbundling LLU) and wireless. Direct Connection To MAN Indirect Connection To MAN 18

19 Carrick on Shannon Carriers Connections (Total) Customers Vodafone Ireland Groupnet Magnet Airspeed Telecom BT Ireland Fastcom 13 Government Education (Schools) Health Financial (Banks) Manafacturing 19

20 Manorhamilton Carriers Connections (Total) Customers AT&T (US Based) Vodafone Ireland Plannet 21 Imagine Telecom BT Ireland HEAnet 6 Government Education (Schools) Health Financial (Banks) Manafacturing Note: Information correct as at 10 th October ENET & CONNECTING TO MAN enet is the managed services entity for the Metropolitan Area Network in towns throughout Ireland. enet s role on behalf of the Local Authority and the Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) is to manage, maintain and market the MAN network along with carrying out all customer connection and extension works. Their remit is to: Manage, maintain and market the MANs on behalf of the Irish Government in the knowledge that the asset always remains in the State s ownership Provide fibre based services to authorised operators on a wholesale basis 20

21 It is important to note that enet provides services to authorised operators only. The premises or company that connects to the MAN, does so via an operator. If you are an end user, please contact enet on +353 (0) or to ascertain which operators are providing on-man services in your Leitrim area. 5 LEITRIM BROADBAND IMPROVEMENT A number of different national broadband programmes have been put in place over the last ten years, including the Group Broadband Scheme which was later followed by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). Leitrim instigated a county wide survey of business and home users in order to inform the areas of the county which should be included in the NBS. This resulted in a significant increase in the parts of the county covered under that particular scheme. In the last two years, Leitrim has worked closely with the Irish Central Boarder Area Network (ICBAN) to survey what are the needs of business and the area that remained poorly covered. Leitrim County Council, local communities and business sectors need to remain pro-active both in terms of adopting to new technologies and raising the awareness of the potential benefits of next generation technologies as well as being proactive in engaging with any infrastructural roll-outs arising from national government intervention in the broadband market. 5.1 NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN The Government s National Broadband Plan (NBP) outlines the importance of the availability of high quality and reliable broadband to the achievement of Ireland s economic and social objectives. The aim is to ensure high speed broadband across the country and reflects Government and European objectives to deliver availability of high speed services to all citizens. This proposed intervention will involve an end-to-end strategy for the delivery of quality and reliable high speed broadband that includes a major fibre build-out to rural areas. By focusing on a long term, future proofed infrastructure build with fibre as the key component, the intervention will ensure that the solution delivered is capable of scaling up to meet future demand and will address current connectivity challenges in a meaningful and sustainable way. The NBP sets out an 21

22 ambitious strategy to deliver quality high speed broadband across Ireland and address all areas that cannot access high speed broadband. Delivery of the objectives of the Plan is being achieved through a combination of:- ensuring the environment is right to maximise investment by the private sector State-Led intervention in those areas where it is evident that the commercial sector will not deliver. The focus of the NBP is now on a long-term, future-proofed infrastructure build with fibre as the key component which will enable significant new capabilities to be brought to the market in terms of broadband service availability, capacity, speeds and competition. The fibre component will underpin whatever technology delivers the service (fixed or wireless). This solution aims to definitively address Ireland s connectivity challenge by removing existing cost barriers preventing commercial operators from providing high speed services to end users. The fibre will be delivered directly to access points for homes and businesses, where service providers can utilise the fibre to provide high speed services to end users. The fibre build-out will also ensure that fibre is deployed to strategic locations on each route such as schools, business hubs and health facilities. The overarching strategic objective of the intervention is to ensure that all citizens and businesses have the opportunity to access high speed broadband. A comprehensive mapping process is underway to definitively assess where the commercial sector will provide high speed broadband over the coming years. This will identify those areas where a State intervention will be necessary. To date, over 1,000 locations have been identified nationally as target areas for the proposed fibre based connections. It should be noted that this is an initial indicative list of locations to be connected by fibre as part of the State intervention under the National Broadband Plan. It is subject to completion of the comprehensive mapping process currently underway. Further locations may be identified as the mapping process continues. The maps will show the areas requiring State intervention and the areas outside of these where the commercial sector have plans in place or already provide Next Generation Access at download speeds of 30Mbps and accordingly will not require a State intervention. The strategy will include additional measures to ensure that consumers and businesses can avail of services being provided off the new fibre network. It is envisaged that telecommunications operators will be able to offer multiple services from the fibre network, including fixed wireless, copper-based and mobile services, as well as offering the possibility of direct fibre connections. A Call for Inputs consultation with existing Internet Service Providers was published in June 2014, the outcome of which will feed directly into the mapping exercise. The mapping exercise is continuing and its findings will be published for public consultation in quarter 4, 2014 when further locations may be identified for State Intervention. Intensive design work is continuing with a view to publishing an end to end implementation strategy together with the outcome of the ongoing mapping exercise which will identify those areas that require intervention. Further public consultation on the proposed intervention strategy will be launched in mid This will include both the proposed Intervention Strategy and the findings of the Mapping Exercise. (See appendix 2 for work streams and timelines) In tandem with the NBP, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. Commercial operators combined have either invested, or committed to invest, over 2 billion in their Irish networks 22

23 which will deliver broadband speeds of 30Mbps to 200Mbps to homes and businesses. Investment in fibre-based networks as well as the roll out of advanced wireless broadband products is ongoing. ESB and Vodafone recently signed an innovative joint venture agreement to invest 450 million in building a 100% fibre broadband network offering speeds from 200 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. The combined companies have stated that Ireland will also become the first country in Europe to utilise existing electricity infrastructure on a nationwide basis to deploy fibre directly into homes and businesses, initially reaching 500,000 premises in 50 towns. The fibre will be deployed on ESB s existing overhead and underground infrastructure, to roll-out to every county in Ireland. Carrick on Shannon is one of the 50 towns nationwide that will benefit from phase one this initiative. While the ESB and Vodafone joint venture will build and manage the network, open access will be offered to all telecoms operators in Ireland on a wholesale basis. This means that other operators can resell the fibre product to their customers, helping to stimulate the development of new services and boosting retail competition in the broadband market for consumers and businesses. Also Eircom is rolling out a 400 million investment in a Next Generation Access Fibre Network that offers speeds of up to 100Mbps. Service is already available to over 800,000 addresses, with planned coverage to reach 1.6 million addresses by Mobile operators have launched 4G high speed mobile broadband services following ComReg s multiband spectrum auction. There has also been continued investment by all operators in enhancing and broadening 3G services and network improvements and Fixed Wireless Operators are continuing to invest in high speed point-to-point wireless broadband. While the commercial developments are welcome the acceleration of investment is largely contained to urban areas. In rural areas, however, the Irish average population density is 26 per km2. This means that there are some areas where it is simply not viable for the commercial sector to provide services. In very remote areas, the challenge is exacerbated and this will require careful consideration when arriving at the most optimum intervention strategy for the State-led intervention. Analysis shows that there is a significant lack of fibre backhaul across many rural areas which, if not addressed at the outset, will make it impossible to deliver ubiquitous high speed broadband. This further highlights the need for an appropriate State intervention which addresses the digital divide in a meaningful and sustainable way. Alongside increased level of market activity, there have been a number of other developments which make a compelling case for a more long term strategic view of the State intervention. These include:- the adoption of revised State Aid Guidelines which envisage the delivery of very high speeds and now specify a requirement for fibre as close as possible to the end user; an increased number of connected devices, users and online services driving exponential increases in demand for data services; emerging trends across Europe and internationally in which Governments are deploying intervention policies that are long term, involve considerable infrastructure build out and rely heavily on fibre for both backhaul and, in some instances, the last mile access element; Government policy, as enunciated in the current egovernment Strategy which focuses on increasing the online delivery of public services. Delivery of service in critical areas such as education and healthcare are also increasingly reliant on digital platforms and high speed connectivity. Furthermore with the fibre build-out, the strategy will include measures to respond to aggregated community demand for services, and the provision of access services in the most remote areas where fibre rollout may be insufficient to stimulate commercial investment or may be cost-prohibitive. 23

24 Under the National Broadband Plan proposals for funding access infrastructure in the most remote areas will also be considered, where roll out of next generation backhaul infrastructure will either be insufficient to stimulate access investment by network operators / service providers or where the cos t of such investment is prohibitive. In any case, and in order to comply with State aid rules, it is proposed that any investment in next generation backhaul infrastructure and, where appropriate, next generation access (NGA) infrastructure by Government will only take place in areas where no such infrastructure is deployed or is likely to be deployed commercially in the near future. Considerable progress has been made on the various work streams informing the direction and detail of the strategy, particularly in the area of mapping, financial and infrastructure modelling and technical specifications. These work streams are continuing and will be completed over the coming months. A detailed intervention strategy containing details of all of the proposed elements along with the outcome of the mapping exercise will be published for public consultation by mid It is envisaged that an EU State-Aid application will be submitted in the second half of 2015 as will the detailed procurement process. Finalisation of the RFT and contract negotiation will be undertaken in 2016 in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) and the subsequent roll out commencement of high speed broadband services. The indicative list in Leitrim of areas identified as of October 2014 which will require State intervention for Next Generation Broadband are: Aghamore Drumkeeran Kilbrackan Aghavas East Barrs Kilclare Annaghmore Eslinbridge Killarga Ballinagleragh Farnaght Killegar Buckode Fenagh Kilmore Coollegreane Fivemilebourne Leckaun Corrawaleen Garvagh Lissinagroagh Corriga Glenade Mullies Corry Glenboy Newtown Gore Derradda Glencar Tawnylea Dowra Gurteen Tullycoly With recent data from ComReg, the Irish telecoms regulator, showing that 43% of fixed broadband customers in Ireland receive speeds of less than 10 Mbps, direct access to 100% fibre broadband will transform the internet experience of small and medium businesses (SME), remote workers and consumers. This will help areas such as Leitrim to compete more effectively for investment and jobs, and SMEs to work more efficiently, enhance their online presence and reach new markets and customers. Consumers will enjoy innovations ranging from home entertainment to e-health and virtual education. Home working will also become a real option for more people, helping Leitrim to participate in the smart economy. 5.2 ACTIONS SPECIFIC TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES In order to achieve the ambitious targets which industry have identified for the rollout of high speed broadband in Ireland, significant infrastructure works will be required. Fibre to the home or cabinet (FTTx) and backhaul infrastructure will require road openings and extra civil works while new mobile and 24

25 fixed wireless technologies will require over 2,000 new installations to be installed across Ireland. The more efficient and cost effective the various approval systems are for infrastructure build-out, the faster industry can deliver high speed services to communities. A number of challenges were identified including: A need for a more strategic approach to planning; Inconsistencies between Local Authorities in the level of Planning and Development Contributions (PDCs) Way leave Processes The imposition of mast exclusion zones by Local Authorities. 5.3 ANALYSIS OF BROADBAND IN LEITRIM Leitrim County Council has established an Internal Working Group to ensure that there is clear mapping of all broadband available in the county whether that is: Fixed line broadband Mobile Broadband Wireless broadband Satellite MAN s A second element is to provide information on the coverage, indicative costs and company contacts to all potential users. Leitrim County Council has in the past carried out two household and business surveys on broadband usage across the county. The results of these surveys are summarised below: Summary Output from Leitrim County Council Broadband Surveys Number of Respondents 1, % with Broadband 30% 90% No Broadband - Cost 10% 24% No Broadband Not required 30% 32% No Broadband Not stated/availability 60% 24% Have Broadband but unhappy with 26% 30% service Unhappy Speed/bandwidth 51% 33% Unhappy Cost 33% Unhappy - other 16% Unhappy reliability/quality of service 29% The survey in 2012 was carried out as part of the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) telecommunications survey. The number of respondents to the survey was lower, likely to be due to less difficulties with accessing broadband. However there remains significant numbers of respondents without broadband and some of these are due to not being required. This highlights the need for an awareness campaign for the benefits that broadband can bring to people. 25

26 5.4 BUSINESS BROADBAND SURVEY REPORT 2014 The roll out of broadband in Ireland has significantly contributed to the establishment of bases here for many high profile multinationals. While broadband in the urban areas may be of a high quality, the same cannot be said for areas of the west of Ireland. Poor broadband dramatically affects the ability of the area in attracting and fostering the business sector. While Next Generation Broadband is being discussed at a national level, the need for it to be introduced to areas like Leitrim is paramount as the last National Broadband Scheme did not deliver as promised. A recent survey conducted by the Local Enterprise Office in Leitrim to its customer base in September 2014 reflects the current level of service on the ground. The survey found great variances in levels of broadband speed (both up and down), pricing, quality and a great variance on providers with many respondents outlining lack of choice when it comes to providers as only one available in their area. The survey was circulated to 863 clients on the LEO database, with a response of 230 (26.6%). This would indicate that while many businesses (most probably in the Town locations/exchange enabled) do not have any broadband grievance, a significant number of businesses, particularly in rural areas have issues around speed, costs, quality and lack of choice when it comes to selecting a provider. The main issues hindering adequate broadband rollout in County Leitrim from the commercial sector are related to topography, rural environment and lack of population bases where these providers cannot gain economies of scale. While these factors may hinder providers rolling out the service in the county, there is still a very strong demand from the many small SME s operating from home or other rural destinations as well as from domestic broadband requirements. The survey asked a range of questions and from the responses given, it is clear that there is a widening gap in services in the countryside versus the towns. There is no one common provider in the county which means that customers have to contact multiple suppliers and ascertain who if anyone can provide the service in their area. This can be a time consuming as well as frustrating challenge as many promise delivery of service but when it comes to access it may not be possible or of very poor quality. Looking at the findings of the survey we picked out the main issues as follows; Download speed Of the 176 responses, over half of respondents having less than 5Mbpsps with 13% of respondents have 0-1 Mbps, while almost 40% (39.77%) had between 1-5 Mbps. Another 10% responded that they have 10.23% and 5.11% had 20+ Mbps. Upload speed A total of 72.16% of respondents having 5 Mbps or less with 46.59% of respondents have 0-1 Mbps, while 25.57% have 1-5 Mbps. This means that less than 28% have upload speeds of 5Mbps or more. 26

27 Broadband provider There were 175 responses to this question, with the answers ranging among providers as follows; There were 23 different responses, which indicates that there is no one provider able to service the whole county satisfactorily. By far the most popular supplier was Eircom with 52 respondents using them, followed by Vodafone at 30, then Three with 22 respondents, O2 with 12 and Ciaracom with 10. The remaining respondents indicated that they used the following suppliers; Sky 6, Qsat 2, 3G Mobile -1, Verizon -1, Net 1-4, Fastcom 6, Digiweb 6, Imagine - 1 Eurona Brisknet 1, Groupnet 3, Adelphinet 1, Airspeed Telecom 1, Pure 1, Eurona Arden Broadband 1, Ripplecom 1, Onwave 1, Eircom efiber -1, Eircom Vodafone Qsat- 1. Eircom Vodafone Three O2 Ciaracom Sky Qsat 3G Mobile Verizon Net 1 Fastcom Digiweb Wimax Eurona Brisknet Groupnet Adelphinet Airspeed Telecom Pure Monthly cost of broadband There was a wide range of responses to this query from ,000. However they are grouped into amounts for the purpose of this report; Series It can be seen that of the 142 responses, the majority of respondents, 121(85%) to this question pay 51 or less per month for broadband with 15% paying 51 or more per month. Quality of broadband Of the quality of broadband in the area 50% responded poor and only 17.04% indicated that it was very good/excellent. 27

28 5.5 FUTURE ACTIONS FOR ENSURING BROADBAND IS AN ENABLER IN LEITRIM S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Leitrim County Council is committed to the actions outlined in the National Broadband Strategy for Local Authorities and aligned with this has developed the following action responses: INFRASTRUCTURE RESPONSES 1. Ensure a streamlined process for road-opening licenses to ensure that there is one contact point who can liaise quickly with the relevant area office for that area to ensure a quick delivery and turnaround. This may also involve having an on-line application system which broadband providers would use. 2. Ensure ducting is installed alongside improvements to road network or new housing estates where feasible. 3. In addition the Council will facilitate, subject to Planning Legislation, the erection of broadband infrastructure on existing Council sites or structures, provided same will enhance the service available within the County. 4. Interact with the CCMA to consider a consistent national streamlined approach for the granting of way leaves AWARENESS RESPONSES 5. Have the Broadband Overview Report 2014 available in the following locations: a. Each library, at Public Computer Section where those less likely to have their own broadband will avail of it b. In the LEO office for potential businesses to browse c. On both the and website d. In Enterprise centres such as the HIVE, Food Hub and enterprise centres in Manorhamilton, Ballinamore, Mohill and Drumshanbo 6. To provide an annual induction day for planners and development staff on telecommunication updates which would ensure staff are up to date on new initiatives and plans for broadband rollout technology BUSINESS AND EDUCATION RESPONSES 7. Through the Local Enterprise Office explore and share opportunities of rural enterprises with good broadband infrastructure and demonstrate the potential opportunities available to business, with innovative use of broadband. 28

29 8. Organise, as part of the schools enterprise competition, a sub-section looking at innovative uses of broadband and highlight the potential opportunities and awareness to children of school going age and their families. 9. Work with education providers to increase the range of courses available on-line by allowing access to Council buildings that have both internet computer and classroom potential COMMUNITY INITIATIVE RESPONSES: 10. As part of the new PPN Structure, include information on the Broadband Report in meetings in each of the Municipal District Areas. 11. As part of the promotion of the report, the libraries will be encouraged to again highlight the availability of broadband access through the library network (See appendix 1 for details) STRATEGIC RESPONSES 12. Work with business interests to look more directly at broadband and its potential to act as an economic development enabler. 13. The issues that have emerged in this report will form part of the Leitrim County Council Economic Plan and be included in the Local Economic and Community Plan. 14. Coordinate the preparation of a single submission on the National Broadband Action Plan based upon the feedback and concerns of Elected Members and the Executive. 15. Prioritise engagement with the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources to ensure Leitrim is sufficiently provided for in the implementation of the National Broadband Plan. 6 CONCLUSION This Guide to Broadband is designed to inform the reader of the various technologies and terminology related to broadband, how broadband is provided and service providers through which citizens and businesses in Leitrim can avail of a broadband service. It further outlines plans for next Generation Access (NGA) in the county through the commercial sector and the National Broadband Plan where the Department of Energy, Communications and Natural Resources will deliver an end-to-end strategy for the delivery of quality and reliable high speed broadband that includes a major fibre build-out to rural areas which will not be served by the commercial sector. Finally the guide outlines Leitrim County Council s prioritisation of supporting and facilitating where possible the delivery of broadband and Next Generation Broadband Access to all citizens in the county. It is hoped the Overview Guide will provide a useful reference to citizens of County Leitrim. 29

30 7 APPENDIX 1: LIBRARY INTERNET ACCESS & P.C. S AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE Library Opening Hours Number of Public Internet Computers Ballinamore Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: a.m p.m. and p.m a.m p.m. and p.m a.m p.m. and p.m a.m p.m. and p.m a.m p.m. and p.m a.m p.m. and p.m. 7 P.C.s Carrick on Shannon Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Drumshanbo Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Manorhamilton Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and p.m. 5 P.C.s 2 P.C.s 7 P.C.s Mohill Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Carrigallen Monday: Wednesday: Saturday: a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and 3.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and p.m p.m p.m. and 4.00 p.m p.m a.m p.m. and p.m a.m p.m. 4 P.C.s 2 P.C.s Dromahair Tuesday: Friday: Kiltyclogher p.m p.m. and 4.30 p.m p.m p.m p.m. and 4.30 p.m p.m. 1 P.C. 30

31 Wednesday: Friday: a.m p.m. and p.m p.m p.m. and p.m. 2 P.C.s Kinlough Monday: 5.00 p.m p.m. Tuesday : 6.00 p.m p.m. Friday: 6.00 p.m p.m. 1 P.C. 8 APPENDIX 2: DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN MAIN PROGRAMME DELIVERABLES The main deliverables in relation to the State-led intervention, to which the above workstreams will form critical inputs, can be summarised as: A. Public Consultations this will involve public consultations on various aspects of the proposed intervention strategy and also the target areas identified under the intervention locations workstream. B. Government Approval this involves seeking and securing Government approval to proceed with the proposed intervention strategy. C. State Aid this involves completion of the State aid process through to approval and will entail ongoing engagement with the European Commission in the form of pre - and post-notification discussions. D. Procurement this involves identification of an appropriate procurement strategy and completion of the procurement process as outlined above. E. Contract Negotiation and Award this involves contract negotiation with successful bidder(s) and awarding a contract(s) for the deployment of the State- led intervention. 31

32 Key workstreams for delivery of the State-led intervention under the National Broadband Plan State-led Intervention under the National Broadband Plan Technical Design and Planning Strategy Development Procurement Process Intervention Strategy Network Specifications Network Cost Modelling Procurement Design Intervention Locations Network Design Cost Benefit Analysis [CBA] State Aid Compliance Procurement Strategy Financial Appraisal Funding Procurement Process Contract Negotiation & Award Infrastructure Sharing Ownership Structure Contract Governance Programme Director, Programme Managers, Programme Administration and Communications Legal Support High Level Indicative Timelines for Delivery of the Programme Stakeholder consultation on preliminary outcome of the mapping exercise (Intervention Locations) Date* Q4, 2014 Inaugural Workshop (DCENR and all External Advisors) January 2015 Production of Consultation Draft Strategy June 2015 Public consultation on Draft Strategy H1, 2015 EU State aid application H2, 2015 Commence RFT process H2, 2015 Final RFT 2016 Contract negotiation and finalisation 2016 * It should be noted that all timescales are indicative only and may be subject to change and will be dependent on Government approval where relevant. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources cannot accept responsibility for any change in this timetable. Successful Tenderers will be required to provide the Services in line with the actual timelines of the Programme as determined by the Minister. 32

33 9 APPENDIX 3: GLOSSARY OF INTERNET & BROADBAND TERMS Access Point (AP): An access point both receives and transmits information from a remote location. A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that allows wireless communication devices (Laptop or Smartphone) to connect to a wired network (LAN) Address: Can mean a couple different things when referring to the Internet. (1) the location of the Internet server, (2) a specific file or website, (3) an e- mail user and (4) the location of data within computer storage. Android: ADSL: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): Adware: Antivirus Software: Backbone/Backhaul: Bandwidth: Base Station: Bit: Broadband: Broadband: Broadband Modem: Byte: Open-source operating systems to allow users interact with smartphones and tablet computers. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line - the technology that allows you to receive broadband using existing telephone lines. It works like a very fast telephone line that is always connected to the internet. By converting data more efficiently over a wider frequency range than a traditional modem, ADSL makes the line much faster. Advanced Encryption Algorithm. This is the de facto encryption standard for internet purchasing transactions. Adware is a type of advertising that pops up on your computer screen while another program is running. Many believe that adware is unsafe because it can include certain codes and capabilities that allow personal information to be tracked and documented without any knowledge of this occurrence. Software you can download or a program that searches your computer for known or potential viruses. The part of the telecoms network which carries large amounts of data between localised base stations and the centre of the telecommunications or data network. The client never sees this part of the network. This is the amount of data that can be transferred at speed at any given time over a connection usually expressed in bits per second (bps). The larger the bandwidth, the more information that can be sent in that same period of time. A facility (usually a high site on a mountain or tall building) to house equipment to deliver wireless services, e.g. mobile phone signals. This is a single unit of data and in broadband terms this means the unit of transmitted data. A kilobit (Kb) is 1,000 bits. A megabit (Mb) is 1,000,000 bits. This is a type of technology which allows fast connection speeds and different channels on a shared line. Broadband is a faster version of the internet that works at higher speeds because of an increased bandwidth. Broadband involves a range of technologies like phone line ADSL, wireless, mobile technology or satellite. A device that connects your personal computer to the internet. It codes and decodes the signals that are transmitted over the broadband line. The smallest number of bits that a computer can handle in one unit. There are eight bits in a byte. The number of bytes in a file can give you a rough idea as to how long it s going to take 33

34 Cable Broadband: Cable Modem: Cache: Cat 5/Cat 5e/ Cat 6: Central Facility: information to download from the internet. Anything over 1MB (a million bytes) is a large file and will take more time to reach you if you re using a slow connection such as a 56kbit/s modem. This is essentially a way of obtaining the int ernet through a fibreoptic internet connection. It provides quicker and more reliable service than 3G, 4G or ADSL. A cable modem lets you hook up your computer to a cable television line to receive data at about the same rate as DSL subscribers. Content delivery from a geographically closer server for faster arrival on the user s screen. An Ethernet network cable type that contains four pairs of copper wire. It supports Fast Ethernet speeds up to 1000Mbps/1Gbps. The facility where the local telephone exchange, switch equipment, etc is located and is often referred to as a PoP (Point of Presence). Cloud Computing: Cloud computing provides secure computation, software applications, data access, and storage resources without requiring cloud users to know the location and other details of the computing infrastructure. End users access cloud based applications through a web browser or a light weight desktop or mobile app while the business software and data are stored securely on servers at a remote location. Cloud application providers strive to give the same or better service and performance as if the software programs were installed locally on end-user computers. Cloud computing requires high speed and high quality broadband and upload speeds are particularly important. Cookie: Co-Lo: Connection: Contention Ratio: CSS: Data: Information stored on your hard drive about internet preferences or user history. Each browser stores cookies differently and also can help user s track where they have been online. An abbreviation of Co-Location and refers to a location on the MAN where operators can site telecommunications and data equipment. Completion of arrangements so that two or more parties can communicate, whether it is person to person, person to network or network to network. This refers to the maximum number of users who might be sharing the resources of a connection such as to the internet at any one time A contention ratio of 50:1 would mean that the maximum number of people you could be sharing the connection with at anytime is 49 other people. Stands for cascading style sheet. CSS is a set of standards that are recommended for presenting certain elements on websites from the World Wide Web Consortium. Technical term referring to the information we wish to transmit across a network. Data Centre: Dark Fibre: Dedicated Line: Facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. A dark fibre or unlit fibre is an unused optical fibre, available for use in fibre-optic communication. A dedicated line is like a regular telephone line, except that it is only 34

35 Dial-Up: Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): Download: Download Limits: Download /Upload: DSL: used by one person or business. It is either owned by the user or leased from the phone company. This is a method of accessing the internet through a dial-up modem. Much slower than broadband, but was typical for internet connections during the 1990s. Digital subscriber line, is a family of technologies that provide internet access by transmitting digital data over the wires of a local telephone network.dsl lines are capable of supporting services such as fast Internet access and video or TV on demand. The transmission of files or information from one system to another. This represents the amount of data (in Megabytes or GigaBytes) that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will let you download each month without charging additional fees or restricting your access. To bring files down from the Internet and put them on your hard drive so that you can work on them locally (download) or to send files from your machine to other Internet users (upload). Digital subscriber line, is a family of technologies that provide internet access by transmitting digital data over the wires of a local telephone network. This type of Internet connection is considered always on because the line remains connected even when not in use. DSLAM: This stands for Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer. These are usually located at telephone company exchanges, and the further away your home is to one, the slower your broadband connection. Ducts: The tubes/pipes through which cables are laid/installed underground. Dynamic IP Address: An address that is assigned to a computer every time it connects to the Internet. Unlike a static IP address that will be the same every time the user logs on, a dynamic IP address is different every time. E-Business / E- Commerce: Extranet: Fibre Optic Cable & Fibre Optic Networks: Fibre Optic Ring Network: FTTB: FTTH: FTTP: Stands for electronic business and refers to any kind of sales, services, purchasing or commerce on the Internet. Stands for electronic mail. is one of the most popular uses of the Internet and it involves transmitting text or images from one computer to another. A private network that uses Internet technology to make certain information about a company or organisation available to people with authorised access from an external point. A transmission medium that uses glass or plastic fibres rather than copper wire to transport data or voice signals. The signal is imposed on the fibres via pulses(modulation) of light from a laser or light-emitting diode (LED). Because of its high bandwidth and lack of susceptibility of interference, fibre optic cable is used in high speed, heavy data and long-haul applications. A network built in a ring configuration in order to ensure that, if one segment of the network is damaged or cut, traffic can be re-routed in the opposite direction. Fibre to the Business/Buliding Fibre to the Home Fibre to the Premises 35

36 FTTX: FTP: GigE Speeds: High-Speed dial up: High-Speed Internet: Hotspot: HSDPA: HSUPA: HTTP: Instant Messaging: Internet: A collective term for various optical fiber connections were the X is categorised according to where the fiber terminates FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and it is known to be the easiest way of exchanging files on the Internet. Abbreviation for Gigabit Ethernet and is used to describe different technologies for transmitting Ethernet data at a speed of one gigabit per second. (1Gbps = 1,000 Mbps). Sometimes referred to as broadband dial-up, this is an Internet service provider that uses an acceleration server to act as a bridge and requests the Web page on behalf of the user. By compressing and filtering data, this dial-up connection can be up to five times faster than regular dialup. Refers to any kind of Internet connection that is not a standard dial-up connection. Usually faster than 56Kbps and also encompasses broadband and wireless connections. A hotspot is a place where computers, tablets and mobile smartphones with wireless cards can pick up a network signal and get broadband Internet access. High Speed Download Package Access. A technology based on the 3G mobile phone network which can support data speeds of up to 7.2 Mbits per second. High Speed Upload Package Access. This is an evolution of the HSDPA (HSDPA & HSUPA) standard and allows for faster dat speeds. Stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is a set of rules for transferring data that dictates to your server which website you want to view or download. Allows Internet users to know when others are online and have a realtime conversation, in the form of a personal chat room interactive texting. It is more immediate than and some programs allow for file sharing. The Internet is a system of computer networks that are linked so that any one computer can get information from another computer in that system. All of this information is accessible to anyone with an Internet connection and a computer. IPTV: This stand for Internet Protocol Television. It refers to the technology which delivers television through an internet connection. A set-top box is required to access this technology, allowing you to watch television programmes on demand over the internet. IP Internet Protocol: The method for moving information from one network to another on the Internet. An IP address uniquely identifies every site on the Internet. For ease of use, IP addresses are now translated into more meaningful web addresses (URLs). ISDN: Stands for Integrated Services Digital Network and provides dial-up services at up to twice the speed of standard telephone connections. ISDN has provided a fast-access option in the run up to broadband over the past few years, but is now expensive and difficult to use by broadband modem and ADSL standards. 36

37 ISP: JavaScript: Kilobit/Byte: Kb/s: LAN: Landing Page: Last-Mile Connection: Stands for Internet Service Provider this is the specific company which provides your internet service. JavaScript is a programming language of the Web, developed by Netscape, that is easy to code and useful for writing web pages and how they are displayed. Means about 1,000, or to be exact, 1,024 bits or bytes. A 56Kbit/s modem runs at a maximum speed of 57,344 bits a second. A 5KB file contains more than 5,000 bytes of information. You can also have megabits/bytes (more than a million), gigabits/bytes (more than 100 million) and terabits/bytes (more than 1,000 million). Stands for kilobits per second and it is a measure of bandwidth. In other words, how fast information will get from one point to another. LAN stands for a local area network, which means that a group of computers can share an Internet connection, as long as they are close in proximity within a domain like a home, office, or small group of buildings. A landing page is the location a user is directed to or ends up at after clicking on a link or typing in a command. The final segment between an internet service provider s Infrastructure and a subscriber location. Latency Level: Linux: Local Area Network (LAN): Local Loop: MAN: MacOS X: The amount of time it takes a voice or data packets to travel from any point on a network to a remote website or server (and back again). Measured in milliseconds (ms). Linux is an operating system, similar to Windows or Android, and is designed to provide a lower cost operating system for personal computer usage, while still holding comparable standards and efficiency. A computer network covering a small physical area,, such as a school, or an airport. The portion of the network between the customer premise and the telephone company s point of presence, also referred to as the last mile or the local loop The access network today is primarily twistedpair cooper wiring, but can also consist of fibre or may be provisioned via wireless connections Metropolitan Area Network - a telecommunications term used to describe a network serving a business and residences in an urban area. The MacOS X is the newest version of the Apple Macintosh operating system, version 10. Mb: This is short for Megabit. A megabit is equal to one million individual bits. The higher the Mbps (megabits per second), the Mbps or Mb/s: faster the internet connection will be. Mega (1 million) bits per second Microfilter: A small device that plugs into your normal telephone socket and spilts the line into both a standard telephone socket and an ADSL broadband socket. Microwave Radio: Equipment used to transmit between two locations on a line-of-sight radio path, forming a fixed radio connection between the two points. 37

38 MiFi Mobile Broadband: Modem: Monthly Cost: MP3: NGA/NGB: Node: Patch: Path Diversity: Point of Presence (POPs): Pop-up: Protocol: Redundancy: Redundant Wireless Backhaul: Remote Data Services: Resilience: Router: Satellite Broadband: MiFi is a brand name used to describe a small wireless router that acts as mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for computers and tablets and it accesses the internet over 3G/4G with a SIM card from an ISP This refers to using your laptop or tablet s USB connection to get 3G or 4G internet connectivity. A modem is a device that transfers data and requests from a computer to its Internet server and vice versa. How much your internet service will cost every month. However, some providers may allow you to pay upfront for a years contract depending on their terms and conditions. MP3 is the most common music file format today. MP3s take up a small amount of space, while still holding a high level of sound quality. Next generation Access/Next Generation Broadband describes a significant upgrade to the Broadband available by making a step change in speed and quality of the service. This is typically thought of as a download speed of 24Mbs plus and a fast upload speed. A point of connection on a network. A patch is a quick repair for problems relating to the code in programs. A patch can usually be downloaded and it will fix whatever error is in place. Having multiple routes available to reach a destination. A hub, central point or access point to the Internet provided by thetelecoms backbone. A pop-up is a small window that appears on your computer screen. A pop-up can be initiated by clicking a link or a mouse rollover. Pop-up ads are advertisements that work in the same way, but are not welcome or expected by the user. A language that two computers understand, where the sender and receiver exchange and recognise certain signals such as 'go ahead', 'got it'. Protocols make the internet work. Is the quality of systems or elements of a system that are backed up with secondary resources. Traffic that goes from the base station along the backbone and onto the Internet. We use multiple wireless and wired connections from each base station to our core so the link is redundant and more reliable. Ability to back up your critical data to a remote facility through a managed service rather than to local tape drives. The ability to provide a backup service in the event of a disruption or breakdown. Routers are devices that are hooked up to a network of computers at any point where they connect and will send requested information to another computer in that network or to an external network such as the internet. In the case of broadband Internet connections, satellites are used to gather data and information from an ISP on land and then transmit that information to a satellite in the atmosphere. It then gets transferred 38

39 back in the form of uploads and downloads to a receiving premises dish on land. Scalability: Refers to the ability of a network to increase total throughput/speeds to handle the growing needs of a business. SDSL: Symmetric Digital Line where data can be transmitted at the same speed both up and down the line. A SDSL line can only be used for data transmission. Search Engine: A program that gathers available websites and puts them in a catalogue based on key words. When a user types in certain key words, the search engine returns a list of all the sites that it has catalogued. Server: When referring to the Internet, a server is a program that is in a central computer and delivers requests for files to other computers that are logged on. Service Level Agreements (SLA) Spam: Spamblock: Part of a service agreement where the level of service is formally defined and there is a common understanding about services, priorities, responsibilities, guarantees and warranties. Spam is unwanted or unsolicited that gets distributed to massive lists of Internet users, usually as part of a marketing or advertising plan. Sometimes it can be dangerous and contain viruses, but even the simple junk mail is a problem for almost everyone. Spamblock is the term for inserting a text segment into an address that confuses the program that collects addresses online. When the program, assuming it isn t a person doing the collecting, comes upon the address with this text, it is no longer a valid address and won t receive the spam. Spyware: Streaming: Subscriber Unit (SU): Trojan Horse: Tweak: UAN Number: Unlimited Broadband: Upload / Upstream: Gathers information about Internet users without their knowledge or consent and delivers that information to advertisers or others who have access to the information. Users can get spyware in their systems by unwittingly downloading certain programs or in the form of a virus. Usually referring to audio or video, streaming allows users to consume this type of internet content without having to download the entire file first. This is because the information downloads while the user views or listens the content, downloading later parts of the file while they enjoy the earlier parts. Radio placed on the rooftop of a customer location in order to send and receive data. A harmful code that can manifest itself into a virus and gets inside your computer by appearing to be harmless programming. The term, tweak refers to small changes made in a computer, such as an adjustment, to try and make it function correctly or more efficiently. This is an 8-digit number used to identify phone lines by telecom providers. You will usually be able to find this number on your internet or phone service providers bill. Its important to have this number when you switch providers, as it will ensure the telecom provider can accurately locate your line. This refers to having no specific limits on your internet deal about how much you re allowed to download during a set amount of time. The process of transferring data from the user to the web server. 39

40 URL: VDSL: Video on Demand: Virtual Private Network (VPN) Virus: VoD: VOIP / Voice over IP: Web Browser: Website: Wide Area Network (WAN): Windows: Wi-Fi: Wireless Broadband Technology: Common examples of up streaming include attaching files to s, uploading images or videos to social media/you Tube accounts etc. Stands for Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is a distinct address that locates a specific file on the Internet. VDSL stands for Very High Bit Rate DSL. It is a different type of DSL that can offer customers up to 100 Mbps downstream and 50 Mbps upstream. Multimedia, interactive video service, where an individual can request a video or movie to be delivered to them digitally with control options, such as pause, rewind, fast-forward, etc. A virtual network is created used to connect offices. Users are able to share information over a public infrastructure but data sent across the internet is encrypted and protected. A virus is a harmful program that replicates itself by getting itself copied or transmitted to another program or machine. Viruses are effectively and quickly passed through usually. This stands for video on demand. This allows users to download or stream video content through an interactive television service. A method of delivering voice over Internet and data networks. Refers to the routing of voice conservations through an internet connection, instead of the traditional phone line method, enabling internet telephone (and services such as Skype). A browser is a program that lets users look at and interact with various applications and files on the Internet. An example of a browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome. The online destination one lands at after entering a specific address in their browser. Websites generally include a number of different files and a homepage, that has links to all of the internal files and sometimes external links as well. A network that covers a broad geographic area across metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries. WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. Windows is a series of graphical interface operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft to allow users use and interact with a computer devices. Wi-Fi is the wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections in the premises or local area network to devices which are WiFi enabled. The standard is also widely used for wireless local area networks in coffee shops and Internet cafes. Wi-Fi has a short signal range. Broadband companies will often provide a wireless router to their customers which is often combined as an all-in-one device including the modem and router for connection to the internet and allows hard wired device connection in the premises over cat-5 cabling. This is a technology that connects a home or business to the Internet using a radio link between the customer s location and the service provider s mast or facility. A fixed wireless internet service is normally delivered by line-of-sight radio transmission, which is received by a small 40

41 WiMax: WWW: XML: box like antenna in or on the users premises. Useful as a method to economically deliver broadband speeds to people in remote areas where laying cable would be too expensive. Worldwide Interoperability for microwave access, telecommunication technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways (similar to Wireless Broadband technology). Stands for World Wide Web. It means all of the files, programs, resources, networks and users that are using HTTP addresses (hypertext transfer protocol). Stands for extensible mark-up language. XML is the World Wide Web Consortium s (W3C) recommended standard for creating formats and sharing data on the Web. 3G: Third Generation mobile phone technology that allows faster access internet services, data transfer services and applications. HSDPA and HSUPA are 3G broadband technologies, with both complementing the other. When a mobile dongle, MiFi or USB modem are used, peak download speeds that reach 21Mb can be achieved through the two technologies but 6Mbps would be typical average and upload speeds can reach 1.76Mb. 4G: Fourth generation mobile communications standard are intended to replace 3G, allowing mobile Internet access at much higher speeds. Disclaimer Leitrim County Council assumes no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up-to-date nature of the information provided in this guide at this time and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. The contents of these pages are provided as an information guide only. They are intended to enhance public access to information and activities of Leitrim County Council. While every effort is made in preparing material for publication, no responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of Leitrim County Council for any errors, omissions or misleading statements in this guide. Every effort has been made to ensure the reliability of information here but this cannot be taken as an endorsement of information provided by other part ies or service providers. 41

42 10 APPENDIX 4: LEITRIM BROADBAND COVERAGE MAPS OCTOBER

43 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

44 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

45 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

46 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

47 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

48 Tullaghan RIPPLE BROADBAND COVERAGE MAP Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Note: When selecting an internet service provider, the buyer is advised to review guidance offered by communications regulator ComReg through the website which offers practical guidance and price comparisons on packages offered by various internet service providers. Jamestown Drumsna Mohill LEGEND BROADBAND COVERAGE Dromod Roosky Gortletteragh *DISCLAIMER: Mapping shows indicative indoor coverage as claimed by the provider. For detailed information on coverage visit service provider's website or contact service provider. Design Office, Leitrim County Council, Oct 2014

49 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

50 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

51 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

52 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

53 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

54 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

55 Tullaghan Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Glencar Lurganboy Manorhamilton Drumahaire Killarga Drumkeeran Drumshanbo Ballinamore Newtowngore Keshcarrigan Fenagh Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick on Shannon Cloone Jamestown Drumsna Mohill Gortletteragh Dromod Roosky

56 Premises connected to a DSL enabled broadband phone line can avail of the service from the following ISP s: Kinlough Rossinver Kiltyclogher Manorhamilton Glenfarne Dromahair Ballinamore Drumshanbo Keshcarrigan Leitrim Carrigallen Carrick-on-Shannon Cloone Drumsna Mohill

57 Buckode National Broadband Plan Indicative list 2014 Glenade Glencar Gurteen Mullies Lissinagroagh Leckaun Fivemilebourne Glenboy East Barrs Killarga Coollegreane Tullycoly Drumkeeran Tawnylea Corry Dowra Kilmore Ballinagleragh Derradda Newtowngore Kilclare Fenagh Corrawaleen Killygar Kilbrackan Garvagh Aghavas Eslinbridge Corriga Aghamore Annaghmore Farnaght