SSE, one of the partners in the last remaining bid to deliver the National Broadband Plan, has pulled out of the process, according to Fianna Fáil's communications spokesperson Timmy Dooley.
“With SSE withdrawing from the e-Net bid, it’s crystal clear that none of the companies capable of delivering the plan can see an avenue towards a decent financial return," Deputy Dooley added, describing the Government's handling of the project as an "abject failure".
This follows media reports that the energy company was pulling out of the tendering process, for which it submitted an initial proposal last September alongside telecommunications infrastructure provider E-net and UK-based infrastructure group John Laing.
Only remaining bidder
The National Broadband Plan is the Government-funded project to connect 542,000 rural premises deemed unprofitable for commercial broadband providers. A final decision on its implementation is expected in the coming weeks, with the consortium led by e-Net the only remaining bidder.
Neither the companies nor the Department of Communications have yet confirmed SSE's reported decision to abandon the plan.
Eir and the Siro joint venture between ESB and Vodafone had previously exited the tendering process.
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