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Monday, November 09, 2009
A BROADBAND price war has erupted that will lead to lower prices and better services for internet users, it is claimed.
Irish telecoms firm Imagine is pledging to undercut Eircom’s prices by 50% through a €100 million investment.
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said the move by Imagine "enhances competition in the Irish broadband market and will inevitably lead to lower prices for consumers.
"I am glad an Irish company like Imagine is making such ambitious investment in our broadband infrastructure," he added.
"We need low-cost, high-speed broadband that is available all over the country. This move will be of great benefit to consumers and the Government’s plans for a truly modern infrastructure and an economy that can take advantage of the digital age."
Imagine Communications said its 4G WiMax broadband and phone packages will be available from €25 per month.
It said the WiMax network will give laptop and PC users access to a "proper working mobile broadband dongle," available from €5 per month.
Imagine said it can finally offer European broadband prices and standards of service to customers because there is no line rental fee, for which it said Eircom currently charges €25.47 a month.
Imagine chief executive Sean Bolger said: "The new network will not be restricted to high-population areas but will also be rolled out to smaller towns and rural communities at a rate of 15 new WiMax areas per month."
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