The National Broadband Plan may cost the state €1bn less than the reported €3bn figure, the head of the state-subsidised process has told TDs. The National Broadband Plan may cost the state €1bn less than the reported €3bn figure, the head of the state-subsidised process has told TDs. The National Broadband Plan has been estimated to cost up to €3bn in state subsidies, made up of a maximum of €2.1bn in infrastructure payments, VAT on that and €480m in “contingency funding” for unexpected events. The preferred bidder for the 25-year contract, National Broadband Ireland, has said that it will put up €175m of initial capital and a further €45m in working costs. Mr O’hObain said that Tetrad is a shareholder in National Broadband Ireland, adding that the Department would publish a chart outlining the shareholders.

Source: Irish Independent May 22, 2019 16:30 UTC