Fiber broadband for Leitim by 2026

Fibre broadband is set to be rolled out in Leitrim by the end of 2026, Leitrim County Council's Nicola McManus said after she gave a presentation on National Broadband Ireland's (NBI) seven year plan and revealed there is planned investment of €46m across County Leitrim. 

She added that there are 11,469 premises in the intervention area accounting for 51.4% of premises in the county including homes, farms, commercial premises and schools.

The most recent figures reveal that in Manorhamilton, 2,528 premises are at survey stage while in Keshcarrigan, 1,985 are at the in-build stage and 1,811 are at the in-build stage in Carrigallen. Meanwhile, in Carrick-on-Shannon, 896 are at the 'can take order' stage. 

Chairperson Cllr Enda Stenson complimented both The Hive in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill Enterprise Centre and said they are both "tremendous facilities; the quality of connection is absolutely superb."

Cllr Des Guckian asked what the service will "cost the ordinary householder" with acting director of services, Justin Fannon stating that "charges will be set by the retailers rather than the NBI; they put the infrastructure in place and it's up to each of the companies to charge whatever they wish."

Cllr Sean McGowan noted that 1,376 premises are being surveyed currently in Roosky and asked what happened after this was completed. "What is the timescale once the survey is complete for installation of the fibre?" 

Mr Fannon said that from the time the surveys were conducted, "in the case I know, it happened within three to six months that the network was put in place and around a month after the wires were hung, companies were out and we were connected."

Cllr Guckian said that he felt that "those getting this service will be at the mercy of the retailers and householders are buying a pig in a poke if they sign up for it now."