BROADBAND: Satellite duo guarantees great download performance

THE National Broadband Plan, which was launched last month, included a map that showed the locations across Ireland that will have access to commercially-provided high-speed, high-quality broadband by the end of 2016. However, no matter where you are, satellite services are available; although these can be expensive, with low monthly download limits.

I used a Digiweb satellite service for years, until fibre came to where I live. The Digiweb fibre service I now have is so much better.

The satellite had reasonable download speeds (a solid, reliable 10Mbps), but had a 12Gig download limit per month (this equates to six HD movies).

A new satellite service is coming to the market as two Irish and UK satellite broadband providers combine to offer the first such service for Ireland that guarantees download performance.

Belfast-based satellite broadband provider, iBub Communications, has partnered with Avonline Broadband — the UK’s largest satellite broadband provider — to bring the new Avanti Hylas 2 service to Ireland. iBub has also appointed one of Ireland’s leading satellite specialists, Seán Og Brennan, as technical director.

“While satellite broadband has already demonstrated its ability to deliver broadband across Ireland, it has, in some ways, been a victim of its own success,” says Mark Wynn, managing director of Avonline Broadband.

“As the number of people using the existing satellites has grown, the overall quality of service has suffered, leaving many thousands of customers frustrated with their existing service and supplier.

“But, under our unique agreement on this new satellite, Irish customers will benefit from a download speed-service commitment that will only be available locally, and exclusively from iBub.

“On a rolling, 30-day measure, Avonline will guarantee to deliver an average download speed of at least 9Mbps, measured across its total Hylas 2 customer base. No-one else in Ireland offers such a service-level commitment using this new satellite.”

Dominic Kearns, director of iBub Communications, said: “This is an exciting new development in meeting the needs of under-served homes and businesses, who are currently unable to get more than a very basic service from landline broadband providers.

“We also believe that our exclusive, service-level agreement will be very attractive to existing satellite broadband customers, who may be looking to improve their service.

“The ending of the Irish Government’s National Broadband Scheme left many rural communities and businesses in the south of Ireland with little hope of bridging that broadband gap — but this new service enables them to upgrade their current broadband service immediately, and without government subsidy, wherever they live.”

The service offers download speeds of up to 15Mbps, with 2Mbps upload on all packages using the new Hylas 2 satellite.

Monthly data-usage allowances for the new service range from 5GB to 150GB, with the choice of unlimited, overnight download options included for free on all packages above 50GB. Also for free is the ability to move up or down in the first three months.

For the 10% of Irish homes that will not be connected by large infrastructure schemes in the foreseeable future, satellite broadband is an instant solution, as a system can be installed in any home or business within a week, and with no need for a phone line. iBub, which was founded in 2012, is now expanding into southern Ireland, supported by the new Avonline Broadband partnership and strengthened with the appointment of Óg Brennan.

Óg Brennan, who is based in Mullingar, in County Westmeath, previously founded the fastest-growing satellite broadband company in Ireland.

Mr Kearns said: “Sean’s technical knowledge is unrivalled in this sector and, combining that expertise with Avonline’s excellent service packages and over 12 years of satellite broadband experience, enables us to offer a new level of satellite performance to the Irish market.”