8.6 Communications Network and Digital Infrastructure

8.6 Communications Network and Digital Infrastructure

Access to broadband in the Region is improving but remains incomplete. Many rural and peripheral areas of the Region are poorly served by broadband and there is a need to increase the rate of investment in broadband, in particular in rural areas.

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES:

Communications Networks and Digital Infrastructure

RPO 8.25: Local authorities shall:

• Support and facilitate delivery of the National Broadband Plan. • Facilitate enhanced international fibre communications links, including full interconnection between the fibre networks in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. • Promote and facilitate the sustainable development of a high-quality ICT network throughout the Region in order to achieve balanced social and economic development, whilst protecting the amenities of urban and rural areas. • Support the national objective to promote Ireland as a sustainable international destination for ICT infrastructures such as data centres and associated economic activities at appropriate locations. • Promote Dublin as a demonstrator of 5G information and communication technology.

The increasing use of digital technologies is impacting on every aspect of our lives: from transport, to education, leisure and entertainment and health services. Infrastructure to deliver better connected services is vital to our continued growth, supporting businesses and enhancing our communities. As the digital economy grows, we must ensure that the business opportunities and benefits are felt throughout the Region from our capital city to every town, village and outlying rural area.

The provision of next generation broadband services to rural areas is a key enabling support to ensure smaller urban areas and rural areas are not at a disadvantage in attracting and retaining enterprise and employment compared to larger urban centres. The National Broadband Plan will play an integral role in delivering this infrastructure and revitalising businesses and communities across rural Ireland. This is a fast moving and evolving infrastructure and the region will need to be able to respond and adapt to future communications networks and technology along with changing work practices and emerging economic models.

RPO 8.26: The EMRA supports the preparation of planning guidelines to facilitate the efficient roll out and delivery of national broadband.

Figure from page 197

Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

9

Quality of Life