State-backed firm wins State’s big broadband contract

Cantillon: Ireland’s broadband policy’s route circutious as Enet set for victory in tender

Drawn-out tender process reflects a public administration that repeatedly fails to see the lay of the land. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Drawn-out tender process reflects a public administration that repeatedly fails to see the lay of the land. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

It’s a tad ironic that after the longest and most complex of tender processes, the Government’s most ambitious communications project will be undertaken by a firm that is itself State-backed.

Barring disasters, telecoms provider Enet, as the sole remaining bidder, will be crowned victor in the Government’s broadband race come September and will begin connecting rural homes and businesses – there are 542,000 – early next year.

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