Longford ahead of national average in fibre take-up despite reported slow speeds

Over 3,600 Longford premises now enjoy fast, future-proof broadband, Longford County Council have stated on their social media. 

The news of the take up - which puts the county ahead of the national average - comes after a councillor requested a review of the National Broadband Plan in Longford following what he said were problematic speeds being reported in a number of areas. 

Cllr Garry Murtagh had pointed out at the meeting that while the overall rollout was considered a success, a full review and speed testing across the county would benefit Longford residents and provide a clearer assessment of the programme’s effectiveness.

According to the council’s latest post on social media, more than 3,600 homes, businesses and farms across Longford are now connected to the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) network which brings fast, reliable, future‑proofed fibre broadband to communities right across the county.  

Read: Broadband or no-band? Calls for review of Longford broadband as "problematic" speeds persist

The council states that the take‑up has now passed 40%, putting Longford ahead of the national average. The council added that, “works are complete in most rural areas, including Aughnacliffe, Lisryan, Ballymahon and the rural surrounds of Longford town. Speeds of at least 500Mbps are being delivered to homes, businesses, farms and schools” 

In a motion proposed at the previous meeting of the Granard Municipal District, Cllr Murtagh requested the council write to Minister Patrick O’Donovan seeking a review of the National Broadband Plan rollout in Longford, particularly in ‘light blue’ areas such as Aughnacliffe and Ballinamuck where broadband speeds are reported to be “problematic” with broadband speeds deemed “insufficient to the point of being non existent.” 

In response to Cllr Murtagh's proposal, Director of Services Barbara Heslin, said the council supported the proposal to write to the minister and added, “we might extend it to a review of the overhead fibre lines” as the north of the county had suffered significantly “during Storm Eowyn and other storms with fibre lines and poles coming down.”

Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme