SERPANT
The SERPANT, South-East Regional Public Access Network of Telecommunications Broadband Project was very important development for the South-East Region in that it involved the installation of a key, state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure in the principal urban centre in each county. It will enhance the regional economy and increase the attractiveness and marketability of the South-East Region for inward industrial investment and for enterprise development.
The SERPANT Broadband Project was coordinated and managed by the South-East Regional Authority on behalf of its 6 constituent City/County Councils. It represented a unique exercise in inter-authority and intra-regional co-operation and partnership to provide essential public infrastructure. The SERPANT Broadband Project was part-funded under the National Development Plan, 2000 – 2006. The project costed an estimated €18 million and involved 6 cities and towns in the Region, (Waterford, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Carlow, Wexford and Dungarvan). It involved the Regional Authority, 11 Local Authorities, 6 contracts, 2 contractors and several sub-contractors. The DCMNR provided 90% of the cost with the remaining 10% being funded by the 6 City/County Councils in the Region. It has seen the construction of almost 100 kms. of underground fibre-optic cabling, overcoming 14 special engineering difficulties and providing around 600 customer connection points.
Beneficiaries of the broadband networks include the Region’s largest companies, small and medium-sized enterprises and the community at large, the Institutes of Technology campuses in the Region, local authority and health board offices, industrial and business parks, and many other public and private enterprises.
A Management Services Entity (MSE) called E-Net was appointed to manage all the broadband networks. This company will be responsible for publicising and generating demand.
Further information can be found at http://www.enet.ie
