Fibre broadband wholesaler SIRO has today launched a new €4m fibre broadband network in Longford town.

SIRO - a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone - said its network roll-out will make high speed, reliable fibre broadband available to more than more than 4,000 premises in the town.

SIRO launched its national network expansion last October with the company confirming that a further 90 new towns, including Longford town, would receive its 100% fibre-to-the-premises broadband.

This is in addition to the existing 64 towns already connected to SIRO's network, including the midland towns of Mullingar, Athlone and Portlaoise.

3,000 premises in Longford town will be able to avail of SIRO's fibre broadband network by the end of 2022, with the network set to reach over 4,000 eventually.

TLI is the contractor on the ground in Longford working with SIRO on the broadband project.

Some of the first areas in Longford town that can avail of SIRO's gigabit broadband are Dublin Street, Chapel Lane, Ballymahon Street, College Park, Canal Close, Harbour View, Fairgreen View, Farneyhoogan, Railway Meadow and Western Park.

Research commissioned by SIRO earlier this year found that connectivity is also a key consideration when people are choosing where to live. The research found that 53% of under 35s rank broadband as the most important factor when choosing a home.

SIRO CEO John Keaney said that connectivity is an enabler of growth for communities and towns within Ireland.

"We are delighted to provide Longford town with a robust, reliable connection that can serve the people and businesses of the town for years to come," Mr Keaney said.

"Since the pandemic, people have begun to recognise the value that a dependable, fibre connection can add to one's way of life or business. With SIRO's gigabit broadband, you can work anytime, and anywhere, stay connected to family and friends or live stream videos or gaming without any lag or downtime," the CEO added.

Minister of State for Planning and Government Peter Burke and TD for Longford-Westmeath said that high-speed broadband facilitated by SIRO will enable Longford businesses to maintain a level playing field and will act as another great reason to attract jobs and opportunities to Longford and the wider Midlands region.