SIRO to Invest €150 Million in 2017, Supporting 400 Subcontractor Jobs
SIRO officially opened new offices in Carrickmines, Co. Dublin, on Monday. The ceremony was attended by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who welcomed the creation of 60 new jobs by the company over the past 12 months. The company also announced that it will invest €150 million in its network rollout in 2017, which will support 400 subcontractors working on the project around Ireland.
SIRO now employs 120 people as it ramps up the construction of Ireland’s first 100% fibre-optic broadband network to 500,000 premises in 50 towns nationwide.
Launched in May 2015, SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network, offering a 1 GB internet connection to 500,000 premises in fifty regional towns.
“Broadband connectivity is of vital importance to the Irish economy in terms of job creation and enabling Irish companies to compete online,” Minister Mitchell O’Connor said. “I have seen the potential of the Gigabit society already when I opened the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which is powered by SIRO, this summer. It is an exemplar project which is already sowing the seeds for a vibrant digital economy in West Cork and transforming the broadband experience in the town. I am aware that other towns are hoping to replicate its success as part of SIRO’s rollout, which is a real boost for regional Ireland.”
SIRO has formed partnerships with BT, Carnsore Broadband, Digiweb, Vodafone and WestNet with more retailers expected to come on board in 2017 as the company drives competition in the wholesale broadband market. The network interconnect agreement between SIRO and BT is of particular importance as it lays the foundation for SIRO to enable multiple retail partners, such as rural fixed and wireless broadband providers, to access its 100% fibre-optic broadband network.
“We are delighted to move into our new home after doubling our headcount to 120 and outgrowing our old premises,” SIRO CEO Sean Atkinson said. “It is our ambition to become Ireland’s new national telecoms infrastructure and I am excited by the calibre and enthusiasm of colleagues who have joined us to help build our unique 100% optical Fibre-to-the-Building network – the only solution capable of future-proofing Ireland’s broadband needs now and for the decades ahead.”
