Imag!ne out to shake up the market
With Ireland ranked among the worst countries in the OECD for broadband take-up, the announcement was welcomed by Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey.
He said it was a sign Irish consumers are benefiting from increasing competition and more choice of broadband provider.
The move also received a broad welcome from Damien Mulley, chairman of broadband lobbying group Ireland Offline.
He said he hoped it would galvanise more competition nationally and it should help to bring prices down.
“Any increase in choice is bound to be a good thing.”
However, he warned the free service was a timed one which meant customers would find themselves watching the clock. The service is free for the first 20 hours per month but costs 4c per minute thereafter. Imag!ne also offers an always on service for €9.99 a month, which Mr Mulley said appears to offer good value for money.
Imag!ne chief executive Sean Bolger said: “Our objective is to be the number-one broadband provider in the Irish market. With broadband penetration at well below the European average we see considerable scope for growth and expansion. The first thing we need to do is get people connected.”
Imag!ne entered the broadband market in Ireland less than a year ago and has 4% market penetration.
The group employs more than 250 people in Ireland and has a projected turnover of €50 million in Ireland for 2006.
Mr Bolger said: “This initiative is not just for new internet users it also means that the 300,000 existing dial-up users can get better and free internet access and existing broadband users can save a fortune by switching to Imag!ne.
“Imag!ne’s free and always on broadband offer for just €9.99 will save consumers a €300 per year on the equivalent eircom package. It’s the most competitive offer in the Irish market by far. We are not pulling any punches. Our offer is simple, there are no catches, and we will lead the market.”
