FIFTY NEW jobs are to be created by e-net, the Limerick-based technology firm that operates the State’s metropolitan area network (MAN) programme.

Twenty jobs are to be created directly by the company within the next six months. In addition, it is investing €2.5 million each year for the next 10 years in the network.

The €25 million infrastructural investment project, which will involve extensive civil engineering work, will generate about 30 construction positions each year over the next decade.

E-net chief executive Conal Henry said the firm was increasing its staff numbers as a result of rising revenue and profits, due to increased customer demand.

The company, which was awarded the contract to operate the State’s MAN programme in 2004, provides fibre-optic services to operators such as Vodafone, BT, UPC and Imagine. Eircom is the other main provider.

Mr Henry said the huge growth in high-capacity traffic had resulted in an increase in demand for fibre-optic network from e-net’s customers. He said the company expected to report double-digit growth for the year ended April 2011.

The wholesale fibre-optic provider turned a profit for the first time last year, reporting after-tax profits of €1.7 million for the year ended April 2010, compared to a loss of €900,000 a year earlier.

Turnover was €13.9 million for the year, up from €9.3 million the previous year.

Mr Henry said the company hoped to play a central role in the development of next-generation access, the key policy focus for Ireland in terms of telecommunications in the coming years.

The MAN programme was established by the Government as a way of tackling the digital divide between urban and rural Ireland. Some 94 towns are served by the network.