Eir has called in specialist private equity firm InfraVia to help the telco accelerate its broadband programme, in a partnership that will see InfraVia take a 49% stake in a new joint venture subsidiary.

The Eir subsidiary, Fibre Networks Ireland, will run the fibre network programme, and the partners say the investment by InfraVia will allow Eir to increase the pace of expansion of its fibre broadband network.

Eir says that 200,000 homes will be passed in 2022, increasing to 250,000 homes in 2023. This will allow around 50,000 more families and businesses to gain access to high-speed internet per year than initially anticipated.

Fibre broadband use in Ireland has grown rapidly in recent years and Eir says it now aims to pass 1.9 million premises by the end of 2026 providing Ireland, in combination with the National Broadband Plan, with over 90% coverage of all premises at the conclusion of both projects.

InfraVia specialises in infrastructure and technology investments. It’s already involved in a joint venture with Liberty Global to create fibre-to-the-home networks in Germany, and has invested in a French project to provide investment in fibre-to-the-home coverage in medium and low density areas.

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Eir chief financial officer Stephen Tighe (pictured) said: “The establishment of Fibre Networks Ireland provides a vehicle for further investment in our already extensive network. Through this exciting partnership with InfraVia we can improve our ability to connect customers faster than ever before and ensure that more homes in Ireland can access the high-speed internet.”

InfraVia partner Bruno Candès added: “We are very pleased to partner with Eir in building out a high quality, national FTTH network that will provide next generation connectivity across Ireland. Fibre internet access is a critical service that enables an inclusive digital transformation, and we are proud to support this transition in Ireland.”