The development of broadband communications is critical to the development of the Midwest region, Shannon Development has said in a submission to Government.
Ken Stockil, telecoms infrastructure development manager with the regional development company, said broadband access was urgently needed for development of the area to begin.
"We are playing catch-up now," he said. Connection to a network of fibre-optic cable was essential to attract new overseas companies and assist the development of indigenous companies. In the past, the presence of Shannon Airport meant "the extreme difference between economic prosperity and growth, or isolation and economic decay".
In today's knowledge economy, broadband access was the equivalent to what airport access once was.
The Department of Public Enterprise has received 31 proposals from the public and private sector which are now subject to a tendering process. The department has £43 million to disperse for the programme which allows for up to 90 per cent of the funding of a project. The successful tenderers will be announced in the new year.
Shannon Development's submission was made in partnership with the region's local authorities. It covers 10,000 square kilometres with a population of 407,000. It proposes a phased introduction of broadband access.
Mr Stockil said connectivity for Clare, Limerick, north Tipperary, north Kerry and south Offaly would cost more than £30 million.
Telecommunications infrastructure was of primary importance in the context of the National Spatial Strategy and the National Development's Plan of fostering balanced regional development.
"Shannon Development is ideally placed to implement a regional broadband strategy being a regional body with close links to users of broadband services," the company states.
Forfβs, the State advisory board for technological development, has identified Birr, Thurles, Roscrea, Nenagh, Shannon, Ennis and Tralee as priority centres. Shannon Development wants a "carrier-neutral" infrastructure in place between Limerick and Dublin, with a regional ducting network connecting the identified towns.
"We would provide carrier-neutral infrastructure so any operator can get neutral access," Mr Stockil said.
Shannon Development is seeking a global carrier to establish a local presence, such as Global Crossing, the US telecoms company which recently completed a transatlantic crossing into City West in Dublin.