IRISH RURAL Link has warned rural dwellers the time for making applications under the Rural Broadband Scheme will come to an end on 29th July next.
This scheme applies to households and premises which are outside of the regions covered by the earlier National Broadband Scheme.
Seamus Boland, chief executive of Irish Rural Link, said the window for applications was narrow and called upon people to spread the word as widely as possible to ensure that those living in remote areas with no access to broadband had the opportunity to become connected.
“There is still a gap to be filled in providing high-quality broadband for rural enterprise, but in the meantime, this is a step in the right direction,” he said.
Irish Rural Link has been promoting awareness of the scheme through its national network of rural organisations and community groups.
The scheme, which opened on May 9th, 2011, is operated by the Department of Communications. It is due to be completed by the end of 2012.
Only those who cannot be served by private internet providers will be accepted.
Helen Dunne, policy and communications officer with Irish Rural Link, said during their awareness campaign, Irish Rural Link had received consistent inquiries from people living in remote areas who had a very weak or slow connection.
Unfortunately, she said, there was no support for such complaints under the scheme, as it covered only those who have no connection whatsoever.