Petition launched to get broadband into Kentstown village

A LARGE crowd turned out in Kentstown last Sunday to sign a petition calling for the delivery of high speed broadband to the centre of the village.

Residents in housing estates in Kentstown village say they have very poor broadband, and have little prospect of getting higher speeds any time soon.

Martin Holohan who lives in Dun An Samhradh in Kentstown village says that houses just 270metres from his home get high speed fibre to the home broadband as part of the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) roll out, but his house and others in the centre of the village, rely on Fibre to the Cabinet which means internet speeds of just 35/40mbps.

“NBI is rolling out high speed broadband with speeds of 2000mpbs just a short distance away, but they tell me they cannot provide the service inside Kentstown itself.

“I have contacted Eir and they say they will provide fibre to the Home, but will not give a date for its delivery.

“We have over 260 houses in the estates in Kentstown and we are being condemned to a second rate broadband service.

“We have homes all around us being connected to a high speed service, but we have no idea when we will get a proper service.

“It is badly needed. A lot of people here work from home, students need it. My wife has a sister in the US and cannot even communicate with her via WhatsApp, because the broadband is so poor.”

A large number of people turned out on Sunday to Kentstown Village Park to sign a petition calling on Eir to provide fibre to the Home to the houses in Kentstown and among those who signed were Deputy Darren O'Rourke and Cllr Suzanne Jamal.

“We will be back again on Wednesday night between 7 and 9pm to get even more signatures,” Martin said.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke said there was a significant issue where people living right beside each other have very different broadband services.

“We need a solution, an agreed timeline.”

A spokesperson for Eir said broadband connectivity in Kentstown is facilitated through the Balrath exchange.

“Open Eir is committed to enhancing the digital framework of the area by rolling out high-speed fibre services to 806 homes and businesses. At present, Open Eir's fibre to the home network has reached 394 of these premises, enabling homeowners to access fibre services via their chosen provider. Moreover, an additional 500 homes and businesses are incorporated under the National Broadband Plan, significantly improving the region's access to swift and dependable internet services.

“The completion of Open Eir's comprehensive fibre to the home network is anticipated by the end of 2026.”

A spokesperson for NBI said Kentstown was not included in the Intervention Area of the National Broadband Plan, but is in an area where commercial operators are delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high-speed broadband services.

“NBI does not choose which premises are included in the Intervention Area, it is the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which determines this.”