NBP: National Broadband Plan Announced

ED E wrote: »

Vodafone managed just fine with a not too dissimilar LTE Footprint.

Anywhere that has LTE is three, the o2 name is just a virtual presentation, so calls that leave LTE have to revert to a GSM call anyways so it shouldnt matter.

No, the o2 name is not a virtual representation, it is still a separate network, with the legacy o2 network on erricson 2g and 3g hardware (no LTE on the o2 network), and the three network using nsn and Samsung hardware for 2g/3g and Lte respectively.

It's not one network yet.

ED E wrote: »

I meant o2 LTE is three, not all o2 coverage. The new units broadcast 27205 and 27202. For GSM/UMTS the old stuff still somewhat exists.

It has to be a real niche case to drop from an LTE cell and not have UMTS available and have to revert to o2. Suppose it would be a problem on some of the motorway network but its a big headline feature("HD Calling") to hold back due to the convoluted network structure.

Managing the movement of devices from one layer to the next is complex enough, before you even consider the complications of managing movimg them across different networks.

ED E wrote: »

Still scratching my head why three havent provisioned VOLTE.

One of the issue raised in the recently published Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. First report on progress of implementation to the taskforce expected by the end of Q2 2017.

Throughout the Taskforce’s deliberations a number of issues, such as WiFi calling and Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE), arise as having the potential to significantly improve the quality of service being provided to consumers and potentially having a positive impact on customer experience. WiFi calling uses home wifi networks to make and receive calls or data. Enabling this feature would provide for the use of a person’s internet connection rather than relying on mobile phone reception, which can be negatively impacted by insulation etc. Voice over LTE allows the use of spectrum that would normally be reserved for data usage rather than spectrum such as 3G that is typically used for voice calls. Calls made over VoLTE can use more bandwidth in order to make higher quality audio for both parties.

All operators should introduce WiFi calling, VoLTE and other network feature and functionality enhancements at the earliest juncture and report on progress to the Taskforce Implementation Group.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/broadband-operators-await-decision-on-300-000-homes-1.2917834

Money might be tight, but privatising the network is very short sighted IMO.

I don't think it's just a money decision either, if the government allow either of the 300k homes to be take out of NBP or government take ownership of the network after X amount of time then you will be left with 1 bidder only.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/broadband-operators-await-decision-on-300-000-homes-1.2917834




Money might be tight, but privatising the network is very short sighted IMO.

this goverment has form in gifting stuff that need not be gifted

The Cush wrote: »

VoLTE, basic voice access combined with 5G 700 MHz coverage from 2020. Is it an option?

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

If the infrastructure is owned by the people then the gov would have complete control over its management.
In private hands there will not be this control over a vital resource for the country.

I believe it will be a bit of a mess when we have maybe two owners of vital infrastructure which divide the country ..... or even worse one owner who could effectively hold the country to ransom at some future time.

It better than being held ransom by wisp at least we have a wide selection of isp to pick from which is a welcome change.

damienirel wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/government-has-tough-call-to-make-as-broadband-tender-enters-endgame-1.2919259

Not the most endearing of reading. Dates being pushed forward. etc. And nobody has appeared to have considered the possible effects of Brexit on their capacity to perform past 2019.

Siena Gigantic Backyard wrote: »

It is not looking good alright. Legal action seems likely no matter which option the Department chooses.

legal action in what way as long as they follow state aid rules they more than likely be ok.I say more than likely Eir 300,000 homes will be taken out of NBP.The Britexit nobody know the outcome of that there no point waiting around to see.it be a shame for NBP to go back to the drawing board for a water down version.

Siena Gigantic Backyard wrote: »

Imagine's Brian O'Donohoe is back claiming advanced wireless is a "more effective" alternative to FTTH in rural areas.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/wireless-broadband-still-rivalling-fibre-in-rural-areas-1.2937890

Why are people publishing this clown's lies and not challenging him on his bullsh*t??? :mad:

Wireless broadband still rivalling fibre in rural areas

The heading is correct ...... wireless is reaching larger numbers than fibre at this point in time, in rural areas.

Things are changing fast though.

Wireless broadband providers risk being driven out of many parts of the market by the arrival of the Government’s national broadband plan.

This too is true.

Despite the rollout of the FTTH products – Eir and Siro claim to have passed about 40,000 homes each – the take-up by consumers has been low.

Comreg’s latest broadband penetration data shows only a fraction of homes have actually opted to buy FTTH bundles, despite the clamour for better quality connectivity in rural areas.

I believe this to be a deliberate misinterpretation of the facts.
Fibre passing premises does not mean those who want it can get it, as multiple posts on Boards can attest.
Also there are many who are in contract and would not change immediately.
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/wireless-broadband-still-rivalling-fibre-in-rural-areas-1.2937890

I, for one, expect a small number of premises, under the NBP, to be served with wireless.
I envisage Eir & SIRO being prepared to use wireless to fulfil their obligation in the short term, for the most remote premises, should wireless suit the situation.

I don't care how I get my 100Mb/s, be it on copper, fibre or wireless ...... once it gets to me!

I do expect that the gov will have - somewhere in the small print - that the NBP network must be capable at all times of meeting the specified minimum speed, and the costs of any adjustments to the network in future years to do this would fall solely on the network owner/operator.
So, give me wireless for 5 years ..... better wireless after that .... and eventually roll out the fibre when the wireless is not able to compete to meet the specified standard and its updates.

I would be quite happy with that

Siena Gigantic Backyard wrote: »

Imagine's Brian O'Donohoe is back claiming advanced wireless is a "more effective" alternative to FTTH in rural areas.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/wireless-broadband-still-rivalling-fibre-in-rural-areas-1.2937890

Were Imagine reselling eFibre in 2016? Their claimed speed of 77Mpbs is actually higher than their top tier LTE service. Speedtest use the top 10% of tests from an ISP so if they were reselling a faster product it would skew the results.

Taking the top 10% also skews in favour of the "up to" clowns as 10% might get good speeds but there is probably a much wider range below that at lower speeds, whereas FTTH and DOCSIS are probably getting a much higher percentage of high speeds.

Siena Gigantic Backyard wrote: »

It is all LTE. They don't resell anything. I have the product myself and see off peak speeds in to the 90Mb range. Peak time speeds have much more fluctuation though.

What are the pings and peak time speeds like? The daily data limit is a joke as well, especially these days in the streaming age.

FTTH will have none of those problems. Let's see what he says then...