News Release -
Shannon Development calls for pilot Next Generation Telecoms Network for Shannon, Co. Clare
“Ireland must invest up front in Next Generation Networks to create a world class telecommunications system,” says Shannon Development Chief
Shannon Development today (Wednesday 7th November ’07) called on Government to support their proposal for Ireland’s first pilot Next Generation Network (NGN’s) in Shannon, Co. Clare, which could revolutionise the communications industry in Ireland.
Making the call at their Telecommunications Seminar in Limerick, Shannon Development Chief Executive Kevin Thompstone said, “Ireland shouldn’t be on catch up with other countries when it comes to advances in telecommunications, we need to be leading future development and investing in infrastructure ahead of demand. NGN’s are the future, they will help Ireland be at the leading edge of the telecommunications industry and will mean faster, more efficient and cheaper access to a growing range of broadband applications. The rollout of an IP-based, open access, next generation network will ensure that all telecommunication services can be channelled through one, open access multi-service network instead of multiple, proprietary networks as is the case currently. This means that operators can concentrate on investing in developing innovative and leading edge broadband services which will have huge benefits for all areas of Irish life from attracting new foreign investment, growing our tourism industry, to education, research and social usages.”
“While the latest OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) statistics, which look at broadband performance in 30 countries, are encouraging and show that Ireland has the largest number of new broadband subscribers (a 6.6% growth in penetration over the previous year), the fact remains that the speed at which downloads and uploads take place is still poor, and Ireland is 3rd from the bottom of the league. The introduction of NGN’s would alleviate this problem,” said Mr. Thompstone.
“Ireland needs carrier neutral next generation networks to ensure broadband saturation throughout the entire country. At present a small number of telecommunications operators hold the power on the roll out of telecommunications services, which means that to make it commercially viable only those people and businesses in high density urban areas will get adequate services, and it could take years for rural areas to catch up. To achieve ‘all Ireland’ coverage we need Ireland Inc. to create a level playing field by investing in a network that will deliver fibre optic cable to every premises and home in Ireland. This will free up service providers to concentrate on providing customers with the latest state of the art applications at competitive prices,” Mr. Thompstone stressed.
To show how blanket network coverage in rural areas would work, Shannon Development has put together a proposal for a pilot NGN initiative with Shannon, Co. Clare, as the proposed demonstrator location.
“Shannon is an ideal location for an NGN initiative based on its strong mix of business and residential premises, and its location relative to onward connectivity and dark fibre paths. It is also important that a pilot initiative is undertaken outside of Dublin, so that it remains relevant to the needs and demands of regional cities and towns across Ireland,” said Mr. Thompstone.
Mr. Thompstone proposed that the NGN initiative would be led by Shannon Broadband Ltd., a public sector consortium led by Shannon Development, in partnership with Limerick City Council, Clare County Council, North Tipperary County Council and Offaly County Council
The consortium has a proven track record in collaborative pilot projects and considerable expertise in the area of Broadband development. In May this year they appointed Clarke Quarries Ltd to undertake the laying of fibre optic cable in eight towns - Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West in Co. Limerick; Kilrush in County Clare; Nenagh, Roscrea and Templemore in Co. Tipperary; Banagher and Birr in Co. Offaly.
The network being installed around the towns is called a ‘Metropolitan Area Network’, or ‘MAN’ for short, built under the e-commerce measure of the National Development Plan and co-financed by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and the EU from the European Regional fund. Work on this element, phase two of the project, is expected to be complete by the end of this year. In phase one of the MAN project 57kms of fibre optic cable was laid around Limerick City. This network is now managed by e|net, the Government appointed Management Services Entity.
“Ensuring fast, cost effective broadband services is key to attracting inward investment and creating more jobs in the future. The presence of this additional cable will make it highly attractive and feasible for licensed operators to offer the latest broadband services to businesses, commercial interests, public services, local communities and domestic users. But Ireland must invest up front now in Next Generation Networks to really create world class telecommunications system,” Mr. Thompstone stressed.
“The Shannon pilot NGN could act as a national pilot and pathfinder project to address NGN challenges by focussing on a small geographical area initially with a view to replicating the model nationally. We will now be bringing our proposal to Government to ask them to demonstrate their continued commitment to telecommunications enhancement by agreeing to finance a pilot NGN at Shannon,” Mr. Thompstone concluded.
Attending the Telecommunications Seminar in Limerick on Wednesday were from left: Tony Killeen, TD Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Kevin Thompstone, Chief Executive Shannon Development.
End
For further information please contact:
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +353 61 710259
Mobile: +353 86-2371510
Fax: 061 363180
E-mail: Click Here