Municipal Area Network

Meath County Council is currently managing the delivery of infrastructure (fibre network) to 5 towns in the County before May 2007 with a further delivery to another 5 towns after that. The provision of high capacity broadband infrastructure is an essential enabler for economic development in the County. This infrastructure is the first step in ensuring a modern and effective communications network is made available to the businesses and residents of Meath.

The towns set to receive this fiber network infrastructure are as follows.

Industria Networks Ltd. has been awarded the contract for the design and management of the Meath County Regional Broadband Scheme and GMC Group, civil and mechanical engineering contractors, have been awarded the contract to install the fiber optic network in the first 5 towns of the county.

The Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources recognizes the importance of high quality broadband infrastructure to the economic development of Meath and will fund 90% of the capital cost of laying fibre optic cable in the towns. The balance of 10% must be funded by the local authority.

When the fibre has been laid, it will be "lit" and space rented by interested telecommunication companies whose business it is to deliver broadband internet access to the customers at a competitive price. The infrastructure will continue to be owned by Meath County Council.