Eircom unveils national high-speed broadband network

Irelands’ incumbent operator Eircom has officially launched its new “e-fibre” high-speed broadband access network and revealed its long-term plans. The network is based on a fiber-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) architecture.

Following the launch, more than 300,000 families and businesses across Ireland are able to order superfast broadband providing speeds of up to 70 Mbps. On average, customers using the network will see a 6X to 10X improvement in their current broadband download speeds, transforming their online experience, the operator claims.

By the end of this year, Eircom aims to reach more than 600,000 homes and businesses, bringing over 10,000 additional premises online each week. When completed in early 2015, the network will reach 1.2 million homes and businesses across Ireland, representing 60% of all homes and businesses in the country.

The FTTC architecture will still see copper telephone cables used for the final link to homes. Eircom also aims to increase the speeds on offer up to 100 Mbps within the next year as the technology evolves. The network will be open to other operators on a wholesale basis (see “Ireland’s Eircom must open its fiber-optic access networks to competitors”).

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD said, “Encouraging investment in superfast broadband for the benefit of our economy is a key goal of the Government in our efforts to get Ireland working again. I would like to pay tribute to Eircom for the ambition and commitment to construct a national fiber network that will be available to all other operators and will directly benefit consumers and businesses throughout the country. Superfast broadband will support new enterprise and investment that will in turn create new jobs across the country. By working together with industry partners and policy makers for the greater good of the country, Eircom is playing its part in rebuilding the country’s economic competitiveness which will underpin our sustained recovery.”

Commenting on the launch of the network, Herb Hribar, CEO, Eircom Group, said that the company hoped to build Ireland’s largest fiber-optic broadband network. “Eircom will continue to actively review its plans to expand the network beyond 1.2 million premises as far and as wide as commercially possible,” he added.

In addition to constructing and operating the network, Eircom is launching a complete suite of eFibre products and bundles for consumers and businesses. Starting at a promotional monthly price of €40 for consumers and €24.79 for businesses, Eircom’s says its eFibre products offer significant value.

For more information on FTTx/access systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.