Broadband turf war unfolds with taxpayer on the hook

While NBI has the contract for the multibillion-euro National Broadband Plan, Eir’s network is already available in more than 40,000 premises in the state plan, which could end up costing the government dearly

David McCourt of National Broadband Ireland (NBI) signs the historic contract to deliver National Broadband Plan to over a million people across the island. Picture: Julien Behal

Carolan Lennon was in combative form as she appeared before the Oireachtas communications committee mid-way through 2019.

The Eir chief executive had been invited to Leinster House to discuss the multi-billion-euro National Broadband Plan (NBP) which had garnered plenty of headlines over the previous months, most of which were negative.

The controversial procurement process that the Department of Communications (DECC) ran, and from which Eir withdrew, delivered a single bidder for the scheme, the aim ...