News

Blue Town Community Broadband Networks

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) is empowering rural communities struggling with slow broadband speeds and inspiring them to set up their own community-owned and run broadband cooperatives through a series of local workshops and a regional seminar.

These workshops are for community members of so-called ‘Blue Towns’, deemed under the National Broadband Plan to have sufficient broadband connectivity, even though the reality on the ground is far different. 

These by-passed areas include Urlingford, Johnstown, Freshford, Ballyragget, Clogh, Moneenroe, Tullaroan, Kilmanagh, Bennettsbridge, Gowran, Paulstown, Goresbridge, Inistioge, Tullogher, Knocktopher, Mullinavat, Slieverue, Kilmacow, Mooncoin, Dunnamaggin and Graiguenamanagh.

KLP has already helped Piltown deliver their award-winning fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband network. The community-owned high-capacity Broadband 4 Our Community (B4OC) in Piltown has transformed how locals live, work and study.

In this series of local workshops and regional seminar, KLP, B4OC members and experts in broadband services will share expert knowledge and lived experience of establishing high-capacity community broadband for Blue Town areas.

The local workshops will introduce Piltown’s story and help communities identify their potential to install their own community-owned broadband network.

Through presentations, discussions and hands-on workshops, the regional seminar will provide training and expert advice on creating community broadband networks, 

“We are working with experts to help identify and prioritise communities in terms of their potential. They will need to demonstrate appropriate scale, the capacity to understand and deliver the project and have the skills and expertise to meet the technical challenges and opportunities involved for the entire community, including householders, businesses and others.”

Declan Rice, KLP CEO

All eligible Blue Towns are encouraged to attend the workshops and seminars.

To register your interest in attending the local workshops call KLP: 056 775 2111

Book your free ticket for the Regional Seminar here:

https://bluetownscommunitybroadbandnetworks.eventbrite.ie