Wimax broadband to be launched next week
A new broadband network, offering initial speeds of 8 megabits per second (Mbs), will be launched in Dublin next week. The network, launched by Imagine and its subsidiary, Irish Broadband, is based on wireless Wimax technology.
Wimax works in a similar way to 3G or wi-fi broadband, except that it can be received by devices up to five kilometres from the transmitter base station.
The service will require a small laptop dongle to work. Alternatively, it will work using a desktop digital box the size of a hardback book. From early next year, all Intel-based laptops will work automatically with the technology, subject to a subscription. The technology is capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to 30Mbs, over twice as fast as is commonly available in the market at present.
The introduction of the Wimax network comes at a crucial time in the debate over high speed broadband services in Ireland. An international Oxford University study recently placed Ireland 37th out of 66 developed countries for the quality of broadband available to Irish computer users.
The study ranked Ireland far behind most EU countries for broadband quality. Currently, broadband services of over 20Mbs, which the study recommends as being necessary in a high-speed environment, are available to less than 1 per cent of the population.
Fixed line operators argue that there is little public demand for faster services and claim that the majority of broadband connection sales are for lines offering 2Mbs or lower.
Meanwhile, the general manager of the country’s only cable operator, Chorus NTL, says that it will offer broadband connections of up to 100Mbs in 2010, following a network.
In the mobile 3G broadband arena, the chief executive of 3 Ireland, Robert Finnegan, said that mobile operators would offer 3G speeds of up to 29Mbs in 2010.
Imagine’s Wimax service will replace the wireless broadband services currently offered by the company’s subsidiary, Irish Broadband. The company is positioning the technology as a fourth generation (4G) broadband service, a claim that will be disputed by mobile phone operators. In addition to broadband, the company is also expected to trial mobile phone services over the coming months.
