Enet, Ireland’s largest open-access network operator, has delivered one gigabit connectivity to the Kilrush Digital Hub in Co. Clare that provides hot desking, co-working, conference and training facilities for residents, visitors, e-workers and entrepreneurs. The 1000 mbps fibre connection is being delivered straight into the facility via the local metropolitan area network (MAN).
The Kilrush Hub was officially opened in March 2018, as one of the measures contained in the Clare County Council Digital Strategy, which seeks to provide communities with access to broadband infrastructure and facilities. The superfast internet connectivity now available at the Kilrush Hub provides users with access to next-generation telecommunications including high-definition video conference calling and mobile technologies, along with faster upload and download speeds.
Since opening, the facilities have proved extremely popular with all sectors of the community, providing a flexible working environment for residents, community groups, local enterprises and entrepreneurs to work and collaborate, and to avail of meeting rooms with high-speed internet connectivity and full audio-visual facilities. The Hub is also of great benefit to e-workers and commuters, allowing them to reduce their need to travel and work closer to home through the use of hot-desks. The hot-desks have similarly proved extremely popular with tourists to the area during the summer months, when the Hub experienced a substantial increase in bookings.
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer a 1GB broadband connection to the people of Kilrush via the Digital Hub. The local authority facility is proving very successful due to its catchment area and population size, with an array of people using the facility. The users include local residents, visitors to West and North Clare, local enterprises and entrepreneurs, and e-workers.”
Speaking about Enet’s involvement, Head of Communications Niall Beirne said: “Enet are delighted to deliver world-class broadband infrastructure to the Kilrush Digital Hub. There is no doubt that MAN-enabled locations such as Kilrush gain a significant competitive advantage through the availability of high-speed broadband. We would like to congratulate the local authority in having the foresight to bring this strategy to life.”
One of the companies who use the Kilrush Digital hub are +AddJust (www.addjust.io). CEO Pádraig Neylon outlined the synergy between his business and the provision of this facility in West Clare’s capital town.
“Our software saves local authorities and Government bodies time and money by enabling them to more easily manage their capital and housing maintenance payments processes. The fact that a local authority has created a hub with a one-gigabit connection, enabling us to sow our roots here in Kilrush is great. It would not have been possible before. The hub is a great initiative by Clare County Council.”
