e|net welcomes the EU Commissions clear analysis of the Metropolitan Area Network (MANs) Broadband Programme which is contained in its new 12th Implementation Report.
Chief Executive Officer of e|net Conal Henry commented: “We welcome the EU report and its support of the roll out of the Metropolitan Area Networks. The development of the MANs has been an undoubted success despite the challenges alluded to in the report. e|net and the MANs are clearly delivering on their policy objectives in the creation and retention of foreign direct investment in regional Ireland, in reducing cost and increasing competition for telecommunications in the regions”
He continued: “The first phase of the MANs Programme has seen all of the major telecoms providers working with e|net to use the networks to provide services to businesses in the regions. We are confident that the benefits already achieved in the short time since handover, as articulated by the Commission, will ensure the development of an open–access, competitive broadband market throughout Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to urge the government to continue with its support of Irish Broadband Projects such as the Metropolitan Area Network Programme and to look at addressing the issue of national connectivity as outlined in the Commission Report”.