SIRO and Vodafone Announce Connectivity Partnership with The PorterShed in Galway

SIRO and Vodafone have today announced the expansion of their Gigabit Hub Initiative to Portershed.

The innovation hub and tech event space will become the first Gigabit Hub, as part of the initiative, to be based in Galway.

SIRO and Vodafone will become the official connectivity partner for the expanded PorterShed, providing it with high speed, reliable 1 Gigabit Fibre broadband under the initiative. The PorterShed will become the 17th hub to join SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative.

Originally established in 2016, the PorterShed is currently undertaking a significant expansion which will see it move from its existing premises near Eyre Square to a larger campus, comprising two new buildings in the Galway City Innovation District.

The SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative is one that provides high speed fibre broadband connections to a range of co-working and innovation hubs across Ireland.

Since its’ establishment over five years ago, the PorterShed has contributed hugely to the West’s tech community by creating almost 800 jobs from its’ work in supporting and accelerating the development of local tech start-ups.

To date, these start-ups have attracted €35M in inward investment to underpin their growth. Companies that have been or are PorterShed clients include Rent the Runway (a reverse logistics company), Kappture (a fintech payments company) and SuperFly Ireland (a digital communications company).

As part of the PorterShed’s expansion, it will add an additional 200 desks, bringing its total capacity to 330 desks overall. The PorterShed will also move from its existing location near Eyre Square to two new premises – at Bowling Green and the former Connacht Tribune offices on Market Street – both located in the Galway City Innovation District.

The PorterShed is also targeting the creation of an additional 1,700 jobs by its member companies as part of this new phase of its development.

The PorterShed joining the SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hubs will see both new premises receiving high-quality Gigabit fibre broadband, ensuring that its member companies have fast and reliable broadband.

This connectivity, whilst enhancing the attractiveness of the PorterShed, also ensures it has future-proofed broadband capable of accommodating speeds of up to 10 Gigabits in the years ahead.

Commenting on the partnership, Mary Rodgers, CEO of the PorterShed noted: “We are delighted to announce our connectivity partnership with SIRO and Vodafone today.

“Access to reliable fibre broadband that can meet the data demands of our member companies today and into the future is essential. It’s hugely important to the PorterShed and its long-term sustainability. The support of SIRO and Vodafone along with Enterprise Ireland ensure the PorterShed can continue to deliver and improve its service offering”

Managing Director of Vodafone Ireland Business Sinead Bryan commented: “The PorterShed has done amazing work in contributing to Galway’s regional economy by providing a space where SMEs can grow and develop. When the Gigabit Hub Initiative was first established, its goal was to support job creation and revitalise local economies by providing best in class fibre connectivity.

“The pandemic has highlighted that connectivity is key to our economic recovery, so it’s another way for us to support that objective.

“Fundamentally, the acceleration of remote working and adoption of hybrid working models presents real opportunities for businesses to strategically drive long term value in key areas such as flexibility, talent, sustainability, and cost using the digital hubs network.

SIRO Corporate Affairs Director, Amanda Glancy said: “The Gigabit Hub Initiative is a project that we at SIRO are extremely proud to roll out in partnership with Vodafone.

“Since our launch, SIRO’s core ambition has been to bring fibre broadband to cities and towns across Ireland and to act as a catalyst for regional growth and balanced development.

“The PorterShed has achieved much in this regard in just a few short years. We are hugely supportive of the next phase of the PorterShed’s growth and excited about contributing to its long-term success with our fibre broadband service.”

For more information on the Gigabit Hub Initiative visit here.