THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THE 29th JULY 2011

 

20th July 2011 - Final Update. Click here for an update on the Rural Broadband Scheme.

13th July 2011 - Click Here for a Progress Report on the Rural Broadband Scheme

Click here for FAQs on the Rural Broadband Scheme

 

The Rural Broadband Scheme has been launched by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This Scheme, which is an EU funded measure under the Rural Development Programme in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is designed to make a basic broadband service available to premises in rural locations which are not served by existing internet service providers.

 

If you are looking for a broadband service, you should first check the names of the internet service providers operating in your county on the Callcosts website – www.callcosts.ie and approach these to obtain a service. 

 

You can also check if you are living in an area covered by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) on the NBS website, www.three.ie/nbs. If you live in an NBS area, then you are guaranteed to be offered a service by 3, the NBS internet service provider.

 

The Rural Broadband Scheme is intended for people who live outside of the areas covered by the NBS and who are unable to obtain a broadband service from providers operating in their area. The following cities and towns are excluded from the RBS: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Dundalk, Sligo, Letterkenny, Athlone, Tullamore, Mullingar, Cavan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Mallow, Monaghan, Tuam, Wexford, Ballina, Castlebar, Tralee and Killarney.

 

 

Details of the Scheme can be found by visiting the website of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources www.dcenr.ie , and follow the links for the Rural Broadband Scheme, where you can apply quickly and easily online.

 

You can also apply by post using the application form on the website or by phone, call the RBS on 1850 678100 or (01) 6782020. The Scheme is open for applications from Monday 9th May 2011 until Friday 29th July 2011.

 

Rural Broadband Scheme Now Open

 

 

If you want to obtain a Broadband Service

• First check the names of the internet service providers operating in your county on the Callcosts website – www.callcosts.ie and approach them to obtain a service. 

 

• You can also check if you are living in an area covered by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) on the NBS website, www.three.ie/nbs . If you live in an NBS area, then you are guaranteed to be offered a service by 3, the NBS internet service provider.

  

How do I know if I qualify for the Rural Broadband Scheme?

You are eligible to apply under the RBS if

 

• You live outside of the areas covered by the NBS

 

• You live in a rural area ( the following cities and towns are excluded from the RBS: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Dundalk, Sligo, Letterkenny, Athlone, Tullamore, Mullingar, Cavan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Mallow, Monaghan, Tuam, Wexford, Ballina, Castlebar, Tralee and Killarney.)

 

• You are unable to obtain a broadband service from the internet service providers operating in your area, and

 

• You are willing to allow your contact details to be passed to internet service providers to assess whether they can offer you an internet service.

 

 

Where can I get further information?

 

Details of the Scheme can be found by visiting the website of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources www.dcenr.ie , and follow the links for the Rural Broadband Scheme, where you can apply quickly and easily online. You can also apply by post using the application form on the website or by phone, call the RBS on 1850 678100 or (01) 6782020.

 

 

Who is running the Scheme?

The Scheme is an EU funded measure under the Rural Development Programme operated by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.