Ireland chided on broadband growth

The Irish government is being chastised for a supposed lack of leadership that has curbed growth in the country's broadband sector.

The Labour Party has come up with a report that calls Ireland's broadband failures "complex" but alleges they are primarily the result of a lack of leadership in Dublin.

"There is significant demand for broadband services from Irish consumers and business people that is not being met by telecommunications operators, and considerable frustration around the country at the inability of so many to acquire a broadband connection," the report said.

More specifically, the report said that Ireland has been slow in allowing alternative broadband providers to Eircom's DSL, which has tight control over the local broadband loop.

Ireland's ElectricNews.net said the country's broadband base was 175,000 subscribers, about 20 percent of the total number of Internet users.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International