Galway Bay fm newsroom - Almost 27 thousand homes and businesses in the county will be able to avail of high speed broadband by the end of next year.
The roll-out is part of the rural development phase of the overall National Broadband Plan.
This phase involves the signing of contracts between the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Eir.
Rural areas to benefit include Barna, Furbo, Oughterard, Moycullen, Annaghdown, Corrandulla, Claregalway, Clarinbridge, Loughrea and Ballinasloe.
The more rural areas not covered by this contract will be included in the National Broadband Plan.
State aid will be provided to operators to provide cover in these less commercially viable areas.
Gaeltacht Minister and Galway West TD Sean Kyne says these contracts are at an advanced stage and will be future proofed.
Communications Minister Denis Naughten says it's a good day for rural Ireland and Eir will be held to account.
However concerns have been raised that the move may delay the rollout to other more rural areas by scattering the customer base.
Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish Independent says it is also likely to lead to increased costs for more rural dwellers.
