'Ireland needs high-speed broadband'

The head of a major broadband provider in Ireland has said that deploying high-speed internet services in the country is crucial.

Mark Kellett, chief executive officer of Magnet, said that investing in next-generation fibre technology could help revitalise a range of sectors in Ireland while also improving connectivity and perhaps helping develop better links with the UK.

Fibre technology could allow easier use of VoIP hardware and provide easier streaming of online media content through multiple computers in the same house.

Mr Kellett said: "Are we going to be the number one location for software development or games development? Or how about financial services? Well, guess what, we will be none of those things unless we have the infrastructure to support those industries."

There are currently plans to connect Ireland to a cable running 24,000km under the Atlantic to North America as part of the Project Kelvin scheme, which is set to cost €30 million (£25.7 million).

Virgin Media and BT are both investing in high-speed broadband services in the UK.