enet has today announced a significant new contract from HEAnet, Ireland’s National Education and Research Network, to supply 80 schools throughout Ireland with 100Mbs broadband connectivity. The award is part of the “100Mbs for Schools” project run by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and follows enet’s success in a previous pilot project.
Under the terms of the deal, the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) fibre will transform the broadband connectivity to these 80 schools, creating the capacity to significantly enrich and enhance the educational experience for thousands of students.
John Boland, CEO, HEAnet, said, “Our job is to use our expertise to leverage economies of scale and value for money in delivering services to all our clients, and this is an excellent example of HEAnet, and the Higher Education Institutions, maximising public investment in our shared infrastructure.”
Ronan Byrne, CTO, HEAnet, added, “The advent of 100 Mbs connectivity at post-primary schools represents a quantum leap in network connectivity for these schools and allows web-based resources to be incorporated in classroom teaching in a far more effective and efficient manner. HEAnet are delighted to build and manage this network on behalf of the Irish Government and schools.”
enet CEO, Conal Henry added, “enet is extremely proud of our involvement in the delivery of world class broadband to these 80 schools and this initiative underscores the importance of the MANs to the delivery of cutting-edge communications and information services to the education sector in regional Ireland.”
The 80 schools awarded to enet are across 32 MAN enabled towns – Ardee, Athenry, Athlone, Bailieborough, Ballina, Ballinasloe, Ballybofey, Ballyshannon, Birr, Buncrana, Bundoran, Carrickmacross, Castleblaney, Cavan Town, Claremorris, Clones, Cootehill, Donegal Town, Drogheda, Dundalk, Galway City, Letterkenny, Longford Town, Loughrea, Manorhamilton, Monaghan Town, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Roscommon Town, Sligo Town, Stranorlar and Tullamore.
HEAnet are supporting the Irish Government’s ambition to deliver 100Mbs connectivity to approx. 730 post primary schools nationwide and are responsible for the design, procurement and management of this high-speed network on behalf of the State.