Revolutionary fibre broadband lights-up Carrigaline

Vodafone's new high-speed fibre product, LightSpeed Broadband, has today been officially launched in Carrigaline, giving Co Cork homes and businesses first access to Ireland's newest and most powerful fibre broadband network. The network is powered by SIRO, the joint-venture between Vodafone and ESB launched earlier this year.

Carrigaline is the first of 51 towns or 'fibre-hoods' across Ireland to receive access to the SIRO network. From today 1,500 homes and businesses in Carrigaline are ready to experience broadband speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps (or 1Gb) - placing the town on a par with the world's leading digital hubs. Introductory pricing bundles, also announced today by Vodafone, start at €40 per month for both consumers and business customers.

With recent data from ComReg showing that only 50% of all fixed broadband subscriptions in Ireland are providing speeds of over 30Mbps, the launch of Vodafone LightSpeed Broadband is set to revolutionise the online experience in Carrigaline. Forty times faster than traditional broadband, LightSpeed Broadband offers a 100% fibre-optic internet connection, making it different and better than any other broadband infrastructure in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. The product will have a range of options and speeds from 350 Mbps to one gigabit per second.

Vodafone expects LightSpeed Broadband will be available soon in multiple locations across Ireland including Dundalk, Wexford, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tralee and Cavan.

Speaking at the launch of Vodafone LightSpeed Broadband in Carrigaline, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and local representative, Simon Coveney T.D commented, "As a key gateway to Cork and Munster, Carrigaline is ideally positioned to take advantage of Vodafone's new fibre broadband product. Access to faster and more reliable broadband will open up huge possibilities for the people of Carrigaline, with local businesses now able to take advantage of the new opportunities that come with open, reliable and fast digital access. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this development in the months and years ahead, ultimately growing entrepreneurship, improvement in businesses and trade in Carrigaline."

LightSpeed Broadband will be transformational for both businesses and homes in Ireland. High speed connectivity will allow business communities across Ireland to flourish, offering up new opportunities to sectors such as retail, hospitality and tourism; and for home grown entrepreneurs the ability to compete more effectively. In addition, unrivalled digital access has the potential to positively impact urban draw and emigration, with speedy access to education and information and the ability to work or study from home now a viable option.

Ciaran Barrett, Head of Consumer Fixed at Vodafone Ireland, said, "We are really excited to launch LightSpeed Broadband today in Carrigaline - delivering on Vodafone's overall strategy of connecting Ireland and delivering the most reliable broadband network. According to insights from our recent consumer research and friendly user trial, Irish consumers want a seamless connection, allowing busy homes to use multiple devices not just for TV but for entertainment, information and working in the home.

With home packages offering a minimum speed of 350 Mbps, busy families can run all devices at once without any streaming lags or long downloading times - creating harmony in the home. We see this new retail product transforming the broadband experience for Irish customers and enabling families, or businesses, to work and play more efficiently."

With LightSpeed Broadband products created for both consumers and businesses there is a broad choice to suit all voice and broadband needs. Starting at €40 for the first six months, LightSpeed Broadband offers free modem and installation for all new connections and upgrades. For more information, or to register your interest visit www.vodafone.ie/lightspeed-broadband or call into your local Vodafone store.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Clodagh O'Hagan, Vodafone Ireland: clodagh.ohagan@vodafone.com or 087 9084055
Cormac Bradley, ReputationInc: cbradley@reputation-inc.com or 087 617 1241

Notes to Editors:

Vodafone LightSpeed is up to 40 times faster than tradition broadband. Traditional copper broadband average speeds deliver up to 24 Mbps.

About Vodafone:

Vodafone is Ireland's leading total communications provider with 2.3 million customers and employs 2,000 people directly and indirectly in Ireland.

Vodafone provides a total range of communications solutions including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications to consumers and to small, medium and large businesses. Since 2011, Vodafone has expanded its enterprise division, offering integrated next-generation fixed and mobile solutions in addition to cloud-based platforms, machine to machine services and professional ICT support.

Vodafone Group is one of the world's leading international mobile communications groups with mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.ie.

About SIRO:

ESB began a tender process in September 2012 to find a partner in a joint venture company to deploy a fibre-to-the-building network using ESB Networks overhead and underground infrastructure as part of its innovation strategy. Vodafone emerged as the preferred bidder for the project in September 2013, when both companies entered exclusive negotiations. The agreement to form the new joint venture company was signed by the two organisations on 2nd July 2014 with EU regulatory approval secured in November 2014. The brand of the joint venture company was formally unveiled as SIRO on 14th May 2015.

SIRO technology is the first of its kind in Ireland. Using ESB's existing infrastructure, SIRO will deliver a 100% fibre-to-the-building network directly into homes and businesses right across Ireland.

SIRO's unique network will be available on a wholesale basis to all broadband service providers in the country and will address the digital divide between towns and cities. Visit your broadband provider to find out more.