The government is to unveil the next phase of the national broadband plan today.

The public will be shown a map of where high-speed internet connection will be introduced by the end of 2016.

We will also find out the areas that will need State intervention to reach the same standard.

€500m is being invested in the scheme providing high-speed broadband to all homes, schools and businesses in locations that commercial operators do not consider viable.

Conor Healy is the CEO of the Cork Chamber of Commerce. He says online work is essential, no matter where staff are based.

While former communications minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says we should apply for funding from the EU for the programme.

Last month, Eircom announced it was to offer superfast broadband to 66 communities around the country.

The company is starting work in Cavan town, Kilkenny city and Letterkenny town with construction set to take six months.

This would see the roll out of fibre-based services to 1.6 million addresses in Ireland.

Eircom said the speed of one gigabit per second would mean downloading a film would take less than a minute.

However, Eircom says they will only connect customers as demand for the new service emerges.