The establishment of fibre-optic infrastructure in Cork has helped support job creation in the region, the company tasked with managing and maintaining the infrastructure has said.

Metropolitan area networks (Mans) bring high-speed broadband connections to cities and towns around the State.

According to Enet, more than 85 per cent of the 6,820 jobs that IDA Ireland unveiled for Cork up to 2013 were in companies connected to the network.

The networks, which connect 94 regional cities and towns, do not create jobs directly, but are seen as an attractive factor for companies seeking to invest in Ireland, providing open access and removing telecoms barriers.

“The Mans programme was developed to bring greater platform competition for the delivery of telecoms in regional Ire- land,” said Enet chief exec- utive Conal Henry. “Mans are operated in an open- access fashion, meaning all telcos can have access. This model is contrary to the exclusive way that traditional operators’ networks functioned and allows for competition in a way that had not previously happened.”

High-speed broadband access, common in urban areas and cities, is being increasingly viewed as a vital utility to attract investment.

“The progress made by the industry in ensuring that we have widespread high-quality broadband available to multinational companies investing here has contributed strongly to foreign direct investment growth,” said Leo Clancy, divisional manager, ICT, IDA Ireland.