ESB may extend broadband network across Border

STaN

THE ESB may extend its new broadband network across the Border to Derry, in a move that would create an all-Ireland market for the high-speed telecoms technology.

Yesterday, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Dermot Ahern switched on the northern loop of the scheme.

The ESB Fibre Optic Network covers 1,300 kms and uses fibres wrapped around Ireland's electricity transmission network. It was finished at a cost of €50m and was built in 30 months.

The network links Dublin to Limerick, through Cork and Waterford, Dundalk, Sligo and Galway and back to Dublin with a line also linking Letterkenny and Buncrana.

ESB engineers have designed the broadband network so that it piggybacks on 110 kilowatt transmission lines.

The fact that there is an electricity link between Lifford and Strabane means it would be easy to install a broadband link between North and South.

A telecoms source also pointed out that Buncrana, were the latest ESB broadband link has been installed, is just 14 miles from Derry.

Speaking at the launch of the northern loop, Mr Ahern said he hopes to see further developments on the cost of broadband in Ireland after recent dramatic price cuts in the wholesale market.

He added he has plans to make broadband available to an additional 90 towns.

STaN

At the moment:

The connectivity is being enabled because the ESB has wrapped fibre optics around high-tension cable in two loops around the country.

Under the offering, high-speed broadband packages, including 155Mbps charged at €100,000 per annum and 622Mbps at €400,000, will be available to towns on the ESB fibre-optic network.

In addition, 2.5Gbps wavelength products will connect 26 towns to Dublin on the Esat BT network.

Announcing the developments, Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern said the raft of broadband developments in the last month by the Government, ESB and operators like Eircom and Esat BT should all complement each other and increase competition.

"I am confident that we will reach our target to be in the top 10pc of OECD countries in terms of broadband retail prices by 2007," he said.

He added that bringing broadband to the regions at competitive rates is crucial to this ambition.

Towns that will benefit from the new strategies include Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim; Ennis, Co Clare; Athlone, Co Westmeath and Bray, Co Wicklow.

Cuauhtemoc

The ESB Fibre Optic Network covers 1,300 kms and uses fibres wrapped around Ireland's electricity transmission network. It was finished at a cost of €50m and was built in 30 months.

Now they can go on to finish the job and wrap it around to the home.