Apr 18 2007

Ireland’s tortoise approach to broadband

Published by Karlin at 2:45 pm under internet,ireland,rants

The Dail's special committee's report on broadband is out today and is fairly damning of the Irish situation (how could it be otherwise). Committee member Tommy Broughan TD got a press release out fast, noting three areas in which the report noted serious shortcomings:
· the defective and lethargic government policy on broadband rollout; · the stranglehold that Eircom enjoys on much of the critical broadband infrastructure; · the lack of dynamic, forceful and effective regulation in the broadband and wider telecoms sector.
Of course a rainbow government when Labour was last in power failed to give the regulator adequate powers back then either so all have contributed on an all-party basis to the problems. What is disappointing is that all the above points will hardly come as a shock to anyone with half a brain who has followed the sad tale of internet rollout generally in Ireland, making one wonder why a report on a report was needed. We were behind from the very start for just the same combination of factors. And Ireland Offline as well as many industry observers (including, I modestly add, my own columns from the 90s onwards, ad nauseum) made just the same points. No link yet to the actual report that I can find, but it is a Communications Committee response to the Dept of Communications report on broadband rollout released last summer. I do look forward to seeing the full report though to find if there are any solutions proposed as this is the bit that has stymied both government and industry so far. In anticipation of the report, I have already filed my column this week on the general subject, though!

2 responses so far

2 Responses to “Ireland’s tortoise approach to broadband”

  1. Evert says:

    There was a very interesting interview on “the last word” on Wednesday offering a different view on how to solve the broadband issue. More here

    E.

  2. brian says:

    As Karlin said in The Irish Times 24/08/07 wireless 3g Broadband is very convenient and reliable. With 85%ish population coverage plus mobility and three providing companies. Read the small print, there is a HUGE difference between cost/’GB/rental/additional mb’s outside your allowance/contract. I’m using Three network and there is a huge performance penalty, almost as bad as dialup after 1900ish to midnight or so Irish time. This is sitting in the same chair in the same location. When it’s good, it’s great, etc. sales rep said the network is overwhelmed with new customers, and I’m not surprised. Haven’t tried the other network offerings in wireless.

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