Granahan McCourt continues investment to connect technologically underserved regions with launch of 1GB fibre-optic network in rural Ireland

Deployment comes as next stage in plan by serial telecoms entrepreneur David C. McCourt

Granahan McCourt continues investment to connect technologically underserved regions with launch of 1GB fibre-optic network in rural Ireland (Photo: Business Wire)

PENNSYLVANIA--()--enet, the largest alternative telecoms network in Ireland and purchased by Granahan McCourt Capital (GMC) and its affiliates, has announced the launch of a one gigabit-per-second fibre broadband network in North Kerry, a rural area in southwestern Ireland, as well as a network in Castlebar, a town in County Mayo.

The networks are part of the Irish government’s National Broadband Plan, which aims to extend high-speed broadband to all of rural Ireland over the next five years. enet’s work in Ireland is just one example of businesses within GMC’s portfolio providing connectivity to people living in technologically underserved areas across Europe, the Middle East and around the world.

GMC and enet hope the added connectivity will provide a significant boost to the region’s commercial sector. Part of Granahan McCourt’s extensive business portfolio, this latest development from the enet brand further establishes the big picture intentions of founder David McCourt, who commented: “Although many of the GMC assets work in developing parts of the world, they all have the same common premise. They want to bring technology to underserved parts of the globe. This vision of bringing connectivity to everyone flows through our satellite, microwave and fibre companies. Many of these partnerships are done with local municipalities; similar to the private public partnership enet has with the Irish government.”

“This latest development from enet will offer connectivity to people in remote locations of Ireland who are often overlooked when it comes to ensuring they have the right technology infrastructures.”

enet CEO, Conal Henry, also highlighted the impact of enet’s management of the State-owned 94 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) broadband platforms across Ireland, which were built to stimulate competition. “We have removed the reliance on network ransom-strips by creating a real alternative and operating a genuinely open-access network that any service providers can utilise. And while open-access is now on everybody’s lips, at enet it’s been a way of life for over a decade. Every day, we make it easier and cheaper for over 60 different telecoms service providers to offer world-class broadband to over 600,000 individuals, homes and businesses all across the country.”

Four retail service providers – Bbnet, Kernet, Permanet and Ripplecom – are already offering broadband services over enet’s network. Other service providers are also expected to start offering services to local householders and businesses in the coming weeks and months.

About Granahan McCourt:

Granahan McCourt Capital, LLC is a private investment firm focused on the technology, media and telecommunications industries.

For over 25 years, David C. McCourt, Chairman and CEO of Granahan McCourt Capital, has been an innovator, entrepreneur, and business leader across the technology, media and telecommunications industries. He has founded or bought 14 companies in 7 countries, and is widely recognised as a transformational force in the telecommunications business.

In addition to receiving the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award from Ernst and Young LLP and the Harvard Business School Club of New York, he received the 2014 Award for Outstanding Alumni Entrepreneur from Georgetown University. The Economist has described him as having "impeccable credentials as a telecom revolutionary".

For more information, visit: www.granahanmccourt.com,

About enet:

Enet is Ireland’s largest wholesale only carrier with offices in Dublin and Limerick. The company provides world class connectivity solutions to every major Telecommunications provider. Carriers use the enet network for enterprise, residential and core network solutions that are transforming Ireland’s digital landscape.

The company operates the second largest fibre network in Ireland incorporating 94 Metropolitan Area Networks, a unique dark fibre backhaul network transiting the entire rail and gas network amongst others and three proprietary metro network including an 85km MAN in Dublin.

enet holds the concession to manage, maintain and operate 2 phases of the Irish State’s Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) programme. The company is committed to the development of the regions in Ireland through encouraging the open delivery of affordable, state of the art broadband services.

For more information, visit www.enet.ie

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Contacts

Whiteoaks Consultancy
Jen Rook
t: +44 (0) 1252 727313 ext 276
M: +44 (0) 7557 162106
jenniferr@whiteoaks.co.uk

Contacts

Whiteoaks Consultancy
Jen Rook
t: +44 (0) 1252 727313 ext 276
M: +44 (0) 7557 162106
jenniferr@whiteoaks.co.uk