Dublin City Council establishes a dedicated Telecoms Unit to accelerate digital infrastructure investments and 5G potential.
Digital connectivity infrastructure, both fixed and wireless, plays a critical and increasingly important role in Dublin’s economic development. Covid-19 has reinforced the importance of connectivity in our cities and towns. Having the right type of connectivity is also essential for Dublin’s future competitiveness. We are entering a new era of super connectivity with the emergence of fifth generation (5G) mobile networks. Telecom’s infrastructure is now seen as an essential utility just like water and electricity. Dublin as Ireland’s capital city needs to position itself as a leader in digital infrastructure to realise its potential and support the connectivity needs of residents, businesses and communities.
To support these developments we are establishing a Telecoms Unit which will offer a ‘one stop shop’ service to support the delivery of telecoms both underground (ducting) and over ground (supporting mobile and wireless services) With 5G services expected to facilitate a new wave of innovation and economic growth, the City Council is making sure Dublin is not left behind. The establishment of the Unit will also assist the City Council in meeting it’s obligations under the ‘European Electronic Communication Code’.
The Telecoms Unit within the City Council will support the deployment of telecoms, creating a central point of contact within the organisation and allow for better use of City Council owned assets both above and below the ground. The remit of the Unit will ensure that future capital investments and infrastructure projects are ‘telecoms’ proofed. The Unit will work alongside the City Council’s Smart City Team to make sure that there is an associated innovation work programme that will leverage these investments, while also supporting the ambition of the National Digital Strategy.
The establishment of the Telecoms Unit is the culmination of collaborative work with the SFI CONNECT Research Centre for Future Networks and Connectivity hosted at Trinity College Dublin and the Telecoms Infra Project (TIP), which is a consortium of telecoms operators internationally working to accelerate the deployment of open and disaggregated network solutions and high-speed wireless connectivity.
Mr. Ossian Smyth, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Communications stated: ‘I am delighted to see Dublin City Council lead the way with the establishment of a dedicated Telecoms Unit to support the ambition of our National Digital Strategy”
See press release here