Introduction
Digital Transformation changes the way we do things via new disruptive digital technology. We are implementing Digital Transformation across Donegal to reap significant benefits in multiple areas: efficiency, effectiveness, ease of access, economic growth, economy of resource usage, innovation for new products or services.
The action plan for our county is divided into these digital transformation categories:
Digital Foundations
Digital Innovation
Smart City & Region
Digital Foundations
Advanced Broadband
Support Donegal National Broadband Rollout
- 10%
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Facilitate and expedite the rollout of the National Broadband Plan in Donegal by working closely with the operator to promote update, solve problems and prioritise locations
Current status:
A Broadband County Coordinator has been appointed by the Council. Surveying in various deployment areas will continue in 2022. NBI are progressing the build of active equipment modules in each Deployment area. The required S254 licence applications are being evaluated and processed by the Council as they are submitted by NBI. Network build will commence in the Letterkenny DA in the 1st half of 2022.
Contact
Daragh McDonough
Donegal County Council
dmcdonough@donegalcoco.ie
Advanced Broadband
Build Public WiFi Hotspots
- 100%
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Installing 75 WiFi Hotspots in towns and villages around the county
Current status:
Rollout of the 75 selected hotspots commenced in 2021, with all 75 now live in January 2022.
Contact
Daragh McDonough
Donegal County Council
dmcdonough@donegalcoco.ie
Advanced Broadband
Deploy Broadband Connection Points
- 95%
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Prioritise particular community, tourism and digital hub sites for installation of High Speed Broadband during 2021
Current status:
12 sites have been identified with 11 already live and the final one being worked on.
Contact
Daragh McDonough
Donegal County Council
dmcdonough@donegalcoco.ie
Digital Skills
Develop a Digital Skills Portal
- 70%
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Develop a portal, one-stop-shop or "window" for all digital related training available in County Donegal. It serves SMEs, communities and individuals. The courses of all major digital training providers will be present on the site.
Current status:
A pilot version of the portal is currently ready. A batch upload for large providers is ready for test. Live testing to follow through Q2 of 2022.
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu
Investment in Digital Research
Invest in LYIT Applied Digital Research
- 70%
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Document the case for increased digital research in the County to ensure advanced technical skills, to match the evolving needs of enterprises, to create conditions for spin-offs and to attract new businesses
Current status:
Research on this topic has been included in a document and is shared with LYIT for use in their Applied Digtial Research development plans
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu
Digital Innovation
Digital Innovation Hubs
Develop a Network of Digital Innovation Hubs
- 84%
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Support the development of a network of digital innovation hubs around the county for digital startups, remote working and digital transformation of existing SMEs
Current status:
To date, 11 Digital hubs are operational in the County with another 2 in development. There are also 3 community hubs in operation and 3 others in the pipeline. There are also 5 Business Centres available in Letterkenny and the Alpha Innovation Centre is in development with planning submitted. A marketing campaign based on a series of videos highlighting the DIH services and Donegal's offering for tech workers and companies is in progress with 5/6 videos complete .
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu
Transform Traditional SMEs
Stimulate adoption of Industry 4.0 in SMEs
- 30%
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Increase the number of SME's innovating, progressing on their Digital Transformation and adopting Industry 4.0
Current status:
The focus for action in this area is the EI-funded "Innovation-as-a-Service" (IaaS) project which is attempting to bring technology providers closer to SMEs in Donegal. A number of EU-funded projects including DEVISE and DIGITAL REGIONS are also being utilised to provide resources.
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu
Stimulate Digital Startups
Increase the number of Digital start-ups
- 30%
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Highlight the advantages that County Donegal has as a location for startups: hub network; dynamic ecosystem; Atlantic Tech University; life-style
Current status:
Currently completing an online marketing campaign based on new Donegal Digital branding and website Market Donegal targeting startups, tech workers. New 12-month campaign being planned.
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu
Open Innovation Test Beds
Create Open Innovation Test Beds
- 5%
Learn more
Current status:
Contact
Daragh McDonough
Donegal County Council
dmcdonough@donegalcoco.ie
Smart City & Region
Intelligent Infrastrucure
Digital Technologies for Culture & Tourism
- 20%
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Apply digital technologies to foster culture and tourism such as immersive technology to experience historical maritime tourist attractions and the Digi2market project of Údarás
Current status:
Development of digital assets and immersive technology for exploration of maritime attractions in progress
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu
Intelligent Infrastrucure
Intelligent infrastructure for towns
- 0%
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Develop smart infrastructure to improve life & increase sustainability in our towns
Current status:
Work with all interested stakeholders to select, builld & showcase smart pilots for Letterkenny innovation quarter
Contact
Margaret Quinn
ERNACT Network
margaret.quinn@ernact.eu