653 Clare Businesses Caught In Broadband Blackspots - Digiweb

Satellite broadband can bridge digital divide for firms, Digiweb says.

Digiweb has identified 8,169 businesses and organisations in Cork, Tipperary, Kerry, Clare and Meath that struggle to access the internet and has unveiled a new 10Mbps satellite technology that will cover 100pc of the country by 2010.

The 8,169 organisations in the broadband blackspots are mainly small businesses in rural areas, reports Silicon Republic. Many of those identified are involved in the retail, tourism and agribusiness sectors. This research follows a recently published report from the National Competitiveness Council that ranked Ireland in 12th position in the EU -15 for broadband penetration.

Counties with the highest numbers of organisations in areas struggling to access the internet via broadband technology are Cork (1,071), Tipperary (712), Kerry (662), Clare (653) and Meath (494).