Overview
Entrust Services was appointed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to lead the planning coordination for over 130 fibre broadband cabinets across Ireland. These installations provide the operational backbone for the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan (NBP), an ambitious, government-led initiative to bridge Ireland’s urban-rural digital divide and deliver high-speed broadband to every home, farm, and business currently not served by commercial operators.
These installations represent transformative infrastructure in counties where progress in social and economic development is held back by limited digital access.
Figure 1: An example of aDesignations Map prepared by the in house technical team at Entrust
Figure 2: Dimensions and design of the fibre broadband cabinets illustrated in a planning drawing
Objective
The objective was to ensure full planning compliance for each of the 130 fibre cabinet sites. Entrust Services was tasked with overseeing Section 5 Declarations for developments deemed potentially exempt, as well as preparing and submitting Licence Notifications (LNs) where required by planning legislation or local authority guidance, ensuring streamlined and lawful project delivery at scale.
Challenges
- Environmental Constraints
Several sites were located near Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), National Heritage Areas (NHAs), or protected landscapes, requiring careful site location and environmental risk assessments.
- Varied Urban and Rural Conditions
The project included both remote rural areas such as Achill and Ardara, and urban centres like Portlaoise and Dingle. This range necessitated a highly adaptive planning methodology, responsive to local authority requirements and physical infrastructure limitations.
- Planning Complexity Across Jurisdictions
Navigating a nationwide rollout required tailored approaches for different counties, each with its own timelines and procedural expectations. Rapid site turnover demanded consistent quality amid high-volume submission work.
Solutions
Entrust Services employed a dynamic project management process, reinforced by:
● In-house analysis tools to produce designation maps for each site, highlighting potential environmental or historical designations.
● Preparation of tailored planning drawings, complete with technical cabinet dimensions and design notations.
● Strategic consultation with local authorities to ensure exemptions were valid, and that License Notifications respected public realm guidance.
● Coordinated planning submissions focused on achieving quicker approvals without compromising technical or environmental integrity.
Results
Entrust Services successfully secured planning compliance across all cabinet locations. The project has now:
● Enabled the installation of essential broadband equipment in over 130 towns and villages.
● Substantially advanced the implementation of the National Broadband Plan’s core objectives.
● Enhanced economic development potential, remote learning, and healthcare access in rural areas.
● Provided a repeatable model for high-volume, fast-turnaround telecoms infrastructure planning within regulatory frameworks.
Entrust Services continues to support the rollout of NBI’s Island Broadband Strategy through specialised planning inputs for remote offshore locations.
