Imagine sweeps into broadband market with ‘cheapest offer in Europe’
The company said the new deal was the cheapest broadband offering in Europe and would undercut Eircom’s equivalent product by 50%.
But there are strings attached. The €10 package allows a maximum of 20 hours of internet access every month, with an additional charge of 3.5c per minute, or €2.10 for every hour, over the limit. This compares with Eircom’s package for low users that costs €20 per month and €2.40 per extra hour if the 20-hour threshold is breached.
Customers who sign up will also face an additional once-off charge of €45 to buy router equipment but can opt instead to take on a €3 monthly rental charge.
The Imagine offer is targeted at new broadband users and there is bad news for existing customers of other providers, as Imagine will levy an extra €99 charge if they switch over. The company has also launched packages for users who want an always-on connection with no time limit. The monthly charge for this product starts at €20, which compares favourably with the €30 deal on offer from Eircom for new customers. But there is an additional €45 upfront connection charge and the company will also levy router equipment charges that are similar to those for the 20-hour product.
Imagine said broadband take-up in Ireland was far behind the European average and that high-speed internet needed to be affordable. Competitive pricing in Europe has seen broadband take-up rise to an average of over 20%. Take-up in Ireland is only 4%, the company said.
The company also said the prices quoted were not a special introductory offer that would be replaced with higher charges months down the line. Many providers offer discounts for an initial period of up to six months before levying higher charges.
Imagine was set up by businessman Sean Bolger. Its subsidiaries include Access Telelcom and Gaelic Telecom, an official telecoms partner of the GAA.
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