ISME: 62% broadband availability is bad

eircomtribunal

Congrats to IOFFL for pressing ahead with the truth about our low broadband availability!
We need more of the media and groups to take up this very important point.
From enn

According to the Irish Independent, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise association (ISME) claims that the small business sector is being sabotaged by a lack of broadband at a reasonable cost in many parts of the country. ISME said that broadband access in Ireland is approximately 62 percent, taking into account line failures, in comparison with an average access of 88 percent in the EU.

P.

zuma

Once more groups like ISME start using the 62% figure then McRedmonds claims will look more foolish by the day!!!

3 out of every 8 people in Ireland cant get Broadband...sickening!!!

Sponge Bob

My math sez its 62% BEFORE lines failures and less than 50% once the line failures are taken into account.

eircomtribunal

The full text of ISME's press release:

LACK OF AFFORDABLE BROADBAND 'HINDERING' SMALL BUSINESS

• Irish access to broadband well below European average.

• Long delays and high prices damaging competitiveness.

• Eircom's dominant position preventing Broadband rollout.

• Ireland 27th out of 30 in value for money.

• Stronger regulation required to improve network access.

ISME, Wednesday 31st August 2005

ISME, the Independent Business Organisation, has outlined that the small business sector is being sabotaged due to a lack of broadband, at a reasonable cost, in many parts of the Country. Consequently Irish business is being disadvantaged, in comparison to their international competitors, due to the absence of what should be a readily available and necessary business tool in the modern world. The Association blamed the Eircom stranglehold on broadband services as being at the root of the problem, where over 20% of SMEs have difficulty getting broadband.

According to ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding, it is estimated that broadband access in Ireland is approximately 62% (taking into account line failures) in comparison to an average 88% in the EU. The UK and the North of Ireland have 100% broadband access.

"The Association has received numerous calls from members around the Country, outlining their frustrations at being unable to receive the service or having to wait several months for the installation of what turns out to be the most archaic of broadband services. This is completely unacceptable in a country that prides itself on being at the 'cutting edge' of new technologies", said Fielding.

Businesses, lucky enough to have access to broadband, are paying through the teeth for the privilege of using a service that most other Europeans take for granted. According to Comreg, Ireland has the highest monthly line rental figure of 19 EU countries and the OECD has also outlined that Ireland comes 27th out of 30 for value for money.

It is quite obvious, that because of Eircom's dominant stranglehold position there is no incentive for them to improve the service. Other European countries are continuing to heavily innovate and invest in broadband infrastructure, while still offering superior packages at lower prices. As a consequence of the inadequate service provided, Ireland has one of the lowest business broadband take up rates at 30%. The regional breakdown paints a stark figure, with 52% of Dublin business having broadband, but falls to 29% in Munster, 26% in Leinster with a disastrous 20% in Connacht and Ulster.

According to a Forfas report Irish SMEs currently rank 18th of 21 countries, in terms of DSL take up, lagging behind countries such as Italy (70%), Spain (89%), and Denmark and Finland (100%).

"Irish SMEs’ European competitors are not only enjoying a clear cost advantage, through cheaper faster broadband packages, but are increasing productivity through a fundamental business utility that many Irish SMEs are denied. Broadband is proven to bring significant competitive advantage and, while European enterprises are gaining new business, new customers, new markets and simultaneously cutting costs, Irish SMEs are still waiting to be connected," added Fielding.

In conclusion, Fielding called on the Government and Comreg to stop Eircom from delaying competition and allow other Telecom Service Providers access to the networks, ironically, initially funded by the taxpayer, to speed up broadband rollout. Only then, will Irish SMEs be able to begin the catch up process on their European competitors and enjoy the broadband productivity gains.

P.

vinnyfitz

Sponge Bob wrote:

My math sez its 62% BEFORE lines failures and less than 50% once the line failures are taken into account.

I still don't get your math Bob? Can you spell it out or link me to where you (undoubtedly) explained it all before?

Thanks

Sponge Bob

Its here in detail , and bugger all change (newly enabled exchanges) since I posted in late June so I am minded not to revise my figures save to concede that under 60% is maybe over 60% now and possibly as much as 62% .