Investment of around €2.5 billion (£2.2 billion) will be required in order to create a next-generation telecoms network across Ireland, it is claimed.

A new report from the Telecommunications and Internet Federation states that such a network – and the super-fast broadband it could deliver – would help the country to recover economically and keep pace with other nations.

Mobile broadband is likely to play a significant part in any new roll-out, according to the study, because Ireland has swathes of rural areas which would represent a major challenge for a fixed-line network.

And the report highlights another challenge: there is a gap between the cost of a new telecoms network in Ireland and the price that consumers would be willing to pay for it.

Meanwhile, one commentator has suggested that the delivery of new super-fast broadband services in England should primarily focus on urban areas.

Madeline Bennett, editor of V3.co.uk, stated that a rural area should form part of the initial focus only if it presents a genuine business case for broadband.

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