Unreliable and poor quality broadband is the burning issue on the doorsteps as the canvassing for May’s local elections gets underway in earnest.
Councillors’ ears are burning too with the grief they are getting. They are feeling the full brunt of frustration over the lack of adequate broadband throughout the county.
Workers are being forced to commute instead of basing themselves at home and in some instances people are driving in to Portlaoise with their laptops to complete their work in their cars as they don’t have an adequate service where they live, according to one councillor.
The problem is particularly acute in rural areas and residents are kicking up a stink with their local representatives this week’s March monthly meeting of the local authority heard.
Councillors the length and breadth of the county had the same story to tell, a saga of pitifully poor broadband speeds and connectivity.
Ironically, with no solution in sight and the roll out of the Government’s rural broadband strategy still uncertain the issue raised its head when the question of digital masts being erected around the county without any consultation was raised by Cllr James Kelly.
Cllr Kelly said the issue had already flared up in Durrow. He noted that under Section 254 of the relevant legislation that planning permission for such masts was not required and they could even be erected without consultation and that’s a pity he felt.
He was of the understanding that up to 10 different locations in Laois were marked out for such masts and even though he described them as “a terrible eyesore” there is no discussions with the public representatives or the local community. Mountrath was one of the locations mentioned and he wanted to know where the other masts are going.
“Can the locals be consulted as part of the process, “requested Cllr Kelly.
The Chairman John King agreed that such consultation was most important.
“I’ve been out in Abbeyleix, Shanahoe and Raheen and it’s definitely the biggest discussions on the doors,” confirmed Cllr John Joe Fennelly.
Even as new fibre was being rolled out some areas are still being overlooked and left out. He cited a number of examples where people would prefer to work from home and avoid a long commute but the broadband services were not there to facilitate them.
Councillors seemed caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, while on one hand they are anxious to see improved broadband, whereas on the other there was concern in towns about masts being put up overnight without any notice or consultation.
“One of those masts was slapped up, bang in the middle of Mountmellick with no consultation whatsoever,” confirmed Cllr Paddy Bracken. He realised that they were erected under licence and did not require planning.
“There are broadband black spots and I’m not doubting the need for these masts but it’s not right that they can put erected bang in the middle of an area, right beside the schools and a residential area and no consultation.”
Cllr Mary Sweeney too had numerous examples of where adequate broadband would reduce or remove the need for lengthy work commutes.
“It’s the hot topic. It’s a huge issue on the doors, it’s ridiculous and people feel very strongly about it. The quality of the connection just comes and goes and it’s so frustrating when people cannot transact their business online.”
Small businesses are being hit badly, it’s impeding investment and it means that the trains from places like Ballybrophy are packed with people commuting due to poor broadband in the countryside according to Cllr Brendan Phelan.
“Lip service about broadband is no good the government have to invest in the service. Rural Ireland is being left behind because in many areas the broadband is nil and it’s a major problem,” deplored Cllr Phelan.
The lack of consultation from the utility companies involved was the recurring theme too from councillors.
“This was a missed opportunity not to inform us about their plans and the proposed locations so that we could allay public concerns. You get up in the morning and this big yoke is outside your house.
“We all want to see the roll out of better broadband but it should be done through consultation and they should explain themselves to the councillors,” suggested Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley.
Chairman, John King agreed that the way the masts are being installed is creating bad feelings in the various towns.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy touched on the dilemma of people being unable to work from home with poor broadband and yet there was annoyance over the masts. One such mast went up overnight on Church Avenue in Stradbally he said in proximity to 200 houses.
“However, it’s better than having nothing and if it improves the broadband it’s a great system if it works. I was contacted by the company to discuss a suitable location in Timahoe, so maybe they are learning.”
Cllr Padraig Fleming noted that following the initial row over the siting of the mast in Durrow there had been discussions to try secure a more suitable alternative location. He also appealed to the companies to finish out the provision of the service properly and not be stopping half way up roads.
Cllr Ben Brennan said that the companies should have the courtesy to at least consult with communities. Broadband is essential for businesses and in his locality they had the height but yet there was no signal in many parts of Killeshin.
“It’s a huge disadvantage to rural areas such is the poor broadband and yet councillors have no say in the matter whatsoever and we can’t even say when it will be done,” said Cllr Willie Aird.
According to him many people bring home their work, they are studying at home and trying to conduct research at home and all this is impossible without sufficient broadband.
“It’s not acceptable at all. We have the situation where people are pulling up in cars at night along the Abbeyleix Road and the occupants are pulling out their laptops, searching for broadband so that they can get their work done for the next day,” revealed Cllr Aird.
“Broadband in this day and age is a necessity not a luxury and it’s no wonder that we have eleven and a half thousand people leaving Laois every day for work. This is totally unacceptable and needs to be sorted,” insisted Cllr Noel Tuohy.
Council Chief Executive, Mr John Mullholland said that while the installation of these masts was exempt from planning, it made sense that they should encourage consultation as the best approach.
He felt that the design of masts had improved considerably. He agreed that there was a dilemma regarding the provision of 4 and 5G broadband and the issue of fibre or wireless and the Department of Communications are currently considering all these pros and cons and the issue of value for money.
He informed members that a Local Digital Strategy is being prepared and this would set out how the county’s interests might be best served.
On the prompting of Cllr James Kelly, Director of Services, Mr Michael Rainey agreed to provide councillors with a full list of the proposed sites for the broadband masts.
