Computers around the world are connected to a network called the
Internet which allows them to communicate with one another.
The Internet is now part of everyday life in Ireland. At home and
at work its acceptance has grown to the extent that it is now difficult to
imagine being without it. But the Internet does not stand still. It changes and
adapts to new technologies as they are introduced. One such technology is
broadband, which removes many of the barriers and frustrations experienced by
many when accessing the Internet through a dialup telephone line.
This section introduces broadband and explains what it's all
about.
The Internet
AT HOME
Many of us use the Internet at home now and wouldn't be without it. Email
allows us to keep in touch with family and friends wherever they may be. The
web provides us with access to information on every topic under the sun. Online
shopping is now a reality and we're buying books, music, holidays and a lot
more besides. Online banking is now a reality. E-government initiatives mean
that we are gradually being encouraged to pay our taxes online too. All of
these activities can now be conveniently undertaken on our own computer and at
a time that suits us.
AT WORK
For businesses of all sizes, the Internet is an essential communication medium
for keeping in touch with colleagues, customers and suppliers. It has also
become an invaluable tool for research, and for business promotion and
development. Within the past few years the Internet has changed the world of
work, and it will continue to be a platform for innovation and change into the
future.
IN EDUCATION
The Internet provides a wealth of educational opportunity. Teachers, publishers
and educators all over the world have made content available online that
provides unique learning and collaboration opportunities.
Internet-literacy is now expected in all walks of life, especially in the
workplace. The government is encouraging Internet use by making broadband
available in schools. Visit http://www.education.ie/
for information on the
Broadband in Schools project
BROADBAND
Broadband is important because it makes the Internet much more accessible and
useful, and also provides access to new telecommunication services and
possibilities. To make the most of these new developments, it is important that
we become proficient as both providers and consumers of broadband-based
services.
Our business of graphic design is traditionally a city based business with fast
turnarounds, immediate response and strict deadlines. Thanks to broadband
technology, we can operate from our location in the heart of the countryside
surrounded by barley fields as if we were in the heart of the city! We have
instant and constant access to all our customers and suppliers wherever they
are at the touch of a button
Gillian Reidy, Director
Penhouse Design
Stradbally, Co. Laois.
www.penhouse.ie
What is Broadband ?
FAST INTERNET ACCESS
With broadband, everything on the Internet becomes faster. Web pages display
quicker, files transfer faster, websites with video become accessible and
online horizons just seem to expand. But there's more to broadband than faster
data transmission speeds.
PREDICTABLE COSTS
Broadband also has an impact on cost. Monthly payments are usually fixed
at a flat rate, regardless of use, because there's no meter running. That
means that there are no nasty surprises in the bill at the end of the month.
Considerable savings can also be made by subscribing to combined telephone
and/or television services, and broadband.
The cost of broadband access to the Internet is now on a par with dialup costs
and, with the benefits of faster access, the whole Internet experience is
less frustrating and costs less in the long run.
SPEED GAINS
Most broadband suppliers offer data transmission speeds starting at 1Mbps. That
means that data travels at a speed of one million (M) bits of information per
second (bps). Speeds are quoted as the maximum attainable so the rarely
achieved speed of 56Kbps quoted for dialup modems (where K means a thousand) is
only about one twentieth the speed of 1Mbps broadband. That's why everything
happens much faster on broadband.
Some service providers offer starter broadband packages based on slower speeds
but connection speeds overall are on the increase. Most providers offer a range
of data speeds at different prices.
As you get used to using broadband and grow into it, your thirst for speed is
likely to grow. Consequently, most service providers have upgrade paths to
higher speeds.
At Athlone eCom (management company of the athlone.ie portal) we decided to
replace our ISDN line with broadband in 2003. A cost benefit analysis
concluded that an ADSL line would save money and give a superior service to all
users.
Broadband has had a hugely beneficial impact on our service and has
increased overall efficiency and cost effectiveness. The speed and size
of data file transfer is significantly greater than the ISDN
service. It enables us to employ richer and more diverse content which in turn
has created a more satisfying experience both from a customer and staff point
of view.
Carmel Duffy, Manager
Athlone e-Com
Broadband in use
It's not just for their own sake that the speed, cost and
convenience already mentioned are important. It's what they mean in practice
that matters.
WHAT IT MEANS
Broadband means access to a wider range of online services and rich media
websites (sites with animation, sound and video).
In the workplace broadband means lower costs and higher productivity. Email
messages, for example, can be sent and received in real time right throughout
the day, instead of just once or twice.
Several computers can share the same line, and large documents and software
upgrades can be downloaded with ease. Broadband can also be used to access
cheaper telephone services.
In education, the Broadband for Schools initiative will bring multi-media
resources into classrooms and will expose pupils to a wealth of educational
opportunities. The initiative will also allow children to become
proficient in the use of email, web browsers and the search engines that
are now essential tools in today's workplace.
Everything from learning a language to studying for a degree is possible with a
broadband connection, as are innovations such as home schooling.
In healthcare broadband provides opportunities for telemedicine with the
promise of remote diagnosis and electronic transmission of results like x-rays.
For home users broadband is nothing less than a gateway to a new digital
lifestyle, and to a world of online information and entertainment.
Low-cost phone calls are another plus. The so-called triple-play
(digital TV, fixed-line phone and Internet) and quad-play
(mobile phone service too) via fast broadband are now starting to appear.
Broadband will soon become a requirement rather than a
luxury at home, at work and in education.
As a community group, Broadband always-on wireless internet allows us to
develop a web site to advance the town in all aspects of life, from social structures,
care for the aged, youth and sporting organisations, and to tell the story of our many
tourist attractions. It has put a powerful communication asset into our hands and
has made the task of going out into the world a great venture full of excitement and
opportunity.
Dominic Hartnett, Chairperson,
Stradbally Development Group
Broadband delivery
Broadband can be provided by a range of different methods involving phone,
fibre or cable TV networks, and without wires via wireless or satellite services.
PHONE LINES - ADSL
The phone line is divided into two separate channels - one for Internet data and one
for normal voice calls. A special modem is supplied so that the phone can still be used as normal
even while you're online. If a special wireless modem, called a router, is used then access to
broadband is available to other PCs with a wireless card also.
But. special equipment has to be installed at the telephone exchange to enable phone
lines to be divided.
If your local exchange is not yet enabled you will not be able to use broadband
through your phone line. The quality of the service is also dependent on distance
from the exchange and on the quality of the wiring. Unfortunately, because of these
limitations, not everyone can avail of broadband via phone line. Service providers
should be able to tell you.
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is the technical term for broadband over
phone lines. Data travels from the Internet to your PC
(the downstream/download direction) at a different speed (usually faster)
than it does from your PC to the Internet (upstream/upload). The download speed is
usually quoted since that's what's important to most of us. The speeds are
usually shown together as 1M/256K - showing the asymmetric download/upload speeds.
FIXED WIRELESS
High-speed Internet access can also be delivered without wires.
A wireless modem inside the building or a small antenna outside picks up the signal - the choice
depends on where you are located relative to the transmission site and what obstacles might
be in the way. A phone line is not required.
Wireless broadband is growing in popularity, as are public "hotspot"
locations from which people can access broadband on a wireless-equipped laptop in public
areas such as cafes, airports, etc.
CABLE NETWORKS
Broadband can also be delivered through cable TV networks.
A separate cable socket is installed and is connected to a PC via a special
cable modem. To use the connection from other rooms, an internal wireless network can be used.
TV viewing is not interrupted while the Internet is being used and neither service
interferes with the other. A phone line is not required.
Because of the capacity of the wiring used, faster data transmission speeds can be
provided on cable networks than are currently available on phone lines.
SATELLITE
Satellite broadband is useful in remote locations which are beyond the reach of other
delivery methods or where the costs of providing infrastructural equipment are prohibitive.
Download data transmission speeds are usually faster than upload speeds and there can be a time
delay (lag) associated with uploads which can make some services difficult to use.
Because of the equipment involved, satellite access is usually more expensive than
phone and wireless access.
FIBRE-OPTIC NETWORKS
Fibre optic is the Rolls Royce of broadband delivery methods.
Capacity is unlimited and data is transmitted at the speed of light - as fast as you want
and as much as you'll ever need. Some new housing developments are now being built with
a fibre-optic network installed to deliver TV and video services, Internet access and
telephone services, all provided on the same broadband line.
Fibre-optic infrastructure is being constructed through the provision of Metropolitan Area
Networks in many towns around the country. These Metropolitan Area Networks are called MANs.
Further information is provided later in the guide.
Our business dictates that we have to email drawings and manufacturing
orders to our customers, very often overseas. Up until 6 months ago we suffered under an
ISDN connection. Being in a rural location, a land line broadband was not a solution.
We adopted Digiweb satellite as our broadband solution. It has been highly reliable, very
fast and we wonder how we managed previously.
Seamus Butler,
Butler Manufacturing Services Ltd.
Strokestown Road, Longford.
County and Group Broadband Schemes
Broadband is central to the development of a
knowledge-based economy throughout Ireland. Areas without broadband will soon find that
they are losing out by not being able to take advantage of internet-centred developments in education,
banking, research, business, etc. However, for a variety of technical reasons, there are areas of the country
that do not have access to broadband. Typically these are the smaller or more remote communities,
or those that are spread over a wide geographic area. Some areas in larger towns can also be outside
the reach of broadband services.
In order to overcome this digital divide,
the County and Group Broadband Scheme has been running since March 2004.
This initiative, by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR),
aims to promote a partnership approach in the provision of broadband services.
It provides grant aid to service providers who form partnerships with local communities,
to provide sustainable broadband service to their areas.
Regional coordinators have been appointed to provide
information on the scheme to community organisations, business groups, local
authority and service providers.
The coordinator for the Midland Regional Authority,
covering Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath, is Ronan Duffy
(Tel: 057 9352996, Email:
info@midlands.ie
Already more than a thirty five communities around the
Midland Region have applied for broadband in their area under the scheme.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details of the scheme are provided on the DCMNR website at:
http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Communications/
Follow the link for Group Broadband Scheme.
The County and Group Broadband Scheme supports high levels of connectivity
throughout the Midland Region. The availability of broadband means that many
aspects of work are no longer dependent on an office environment which provides greater
opportunities for individuals, communities and companies throughout the Midland Region.
James Stone, Director
Midland Regional Authority
Regional Broadband Programme
The Midland Regional Authority received approval from the Department
of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) under Phase 1 of the National
Regional Broadband Scheme for proposals in relation to the Midland Region.
This has resulted in the provision of fibre-optic Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
in the Midland towns of Athlone, Mullingar, Portlaoise and Tullamore.
These four significant infrastructural projects were jointly funded by the
DCMNR, and the Laois, Offaly and Westmeath local authorities.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS
Large corporations, and medical, educational and local
government institutions, need very fast data transmission speeds and
sophisticated telecommunications services. They also need additional security and reliability.
For them, broadband delivered by fibre-optic cable is a requirement and that's one of
the reasons why the MANs are being introduced throughout the Region.
In addition to high capacity and unlimited speed, the MANs are separate
from other networks and thus provide alternatives and increased competition
in the marketplace. Each is routed to reach the major industrial and commercial
areas and provides the essential infrastructure that heavy broadband users need in
order to access the services they require.
Although high-level telecommunication users are the initial priority,
smaller businesses and residential users will benefit as services mature on the MANs.
PHASE 2
Under Phase 2 of the Regional Broadband Programme
it is proposed that the following towns in the Midland Region will have a MAN:
Banagher, Birr, Edenderry, Longford, Mountmellick, Moate and Portarlington (see
www.midlandbroadband.ie
for up-to-date maps.)
Phase 2 projects will be funded by Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils,
and the DCMNR. This is a major investment by the County Councils approaching €2M over the two phases.
The towns were selected in a competitive process and will benefit from next generation broadband
infrastructure. Once the rollout is completed it will provide cheap, always on access to the Internet,
a vital tool for industry and business, and invaluable for educational institutes, health and
research bodies and private consumers.
Micheál Martin, TD
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
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