A transatlantic fibre-optic cable which will directly link the Irish network with the US and Canada for the first time was "landed" yesterday at Sutton Beach in north Co Dublin.

The $850 million project will span some 12,220 km when it enters commercial service early next year. With landing sites in Liverpool, Boston and Halifax in Canada, the system will offer direct connectivity between most north American and European cities.

Welcoming yesterday's development, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, said the rollout of a broadband infrastructure at more than 120 centres throughout the State was continuing.

This high-capacity network would link major urban areas, but it would also include many rural areas, Mr Treacy said. The aim was to improve investment prospects for high quality industry, he added.