Irish utility firm ESB is searching for a joint venture partner to deploy a fibre network across its electricity poles.
Local mobile operator Vodafone and fixed-line player BT Ireland are set to submit bids for the €400m project before an end of…
Irish utility firm ESB is searching for a joint venture partner to deploy a fibre network across its electricity poles.
Local mobile operator Vodafone and fixed-line player BT Ireland are set to submit bids for the €400m project before an end of August deadline, reported the Irish Times.
A final decision will be made a month after that, with work beginning on the new network early next year, added the report.
ESB and BT Ireland declined to comment. Vodafone was unable to respond before the press deadline.
The JV will reportedly pay ESB to rent its infrastructure, and act as a wholesaler to enable companies to compete with fibre services from incumbent telco Eircom and Liberty Global-owned UPC.
Citing sources, the report said it would be Ireland’s most powerful broadband network when parts of it begin to be switched on in around 12 months, with speeds of up to 150MB per second.
This is because the fibre network would be able to be deployed directly into buildings. Usually fibre networks stretch only to roadside cabinets, with copper wires used for the so-called ‘last mile’ to a building, resulting in slower speeds.
