Irish Silicon

Some good news for the IT industry in Limerick.
Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern has announced close to 120 new jobs at or in support of Limerick-based E-Net, following that company’s success in winning the contract to manage the State-backed Regional Metropolitan Broadband Networks.
Approximately half the positions will be created directly at E-Net, and the remainder in downstream support. The 15-year contract will commence immediately, with E-Net operating as a wholesaler of access to the networks. The pricing achieved in the contract is on a par with competitive pricing internationally and will, according to Minister Ahern, be a key driver of regional economic development. E-Net is headed by Michael Tiernan of Tiernan Properties and funded by ACT Venture Capital, Anglo Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and private equity.
The selection of E-Net was welcomed by Shannon Broadband, the regional telecoms company headed by Shannon Development and including several local authorities. Chairman Kevin Thompstone observed: “A key objective of Shannon Broadband has been the provision of regional broadband services at reasonable prices. We are confident that the awarding of this important contract to a regionally based firm will help achieve this objective”.