Rural Broadband: fast smart cattle mart

The Taoiseach went to Belcarra to sell a heifer as part of an experiment by Eircom in stretching the reach of rural broadband. Emmet Ryan reports

Richard Moat, chief executive, Eircom, with Minister for Communications, Alex White, and Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Picture: Shane O’Neill
Richard Moat, chief executive, Eircom, with Minister for Communications, Alex White, and Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Picture: Shane O’Neill

The last mile is the term regularly trotted out when it comes to the issues surrounding broadband rollout in Ireland. In truth, it can often stretch much farther and the fear of an urban-rural communications divide is real.

Eircom recently completed a project in Belcarra, Co Mayo, a rural village with a spread out population. The objective ...