e|net welcomes the Government’s commitment of €435m to the Metropolitan Area Network (MANs) Programme contained in the new National Development Plan. The investment will put the MAN infrastructure at the heart of Ireland’s Next Generation infrastructure.
Chief Executive Officer of e|net Conal Henry commented: “We welcome the new NDP 2007-13 and its affirmation of the success of the MANs to date. The development of the MANs has been an undoubted success.” Noting that 4 out of the last 5 major IDA FDI successes have been to sites connected to the MAN infrastructure, Mr Henry stated, “e|net and the MANs are clearly delivering on the policy objectives of creation and retention of foreign direct investment in regional Ireland, reducing cost and increasing competition for telecommunications in the regions”
He continued: “The first phase of the MANs Programme is on target and has already seen all of the major telecoms providers use the networks. We are confident that the benefits achieved to date ensure the development of an open–access, competitive broadband market throughout Ireland”.
In addition to the 27 MANs that have been constructed to date, the new National Development Plan will see 90 new networks being delivered during 2007/8. The total investment for the project will amount to in excess of €160million.