Esat partner with Shannon Development in broadband trial

A trial to deliver fast Internet access to businesses in remote and rural areas is being conducted in Co Clare.

Led by Esat BT, in conjunction with Shannon Broadband and a consortium including Shannon Development and the Shannon Region local authorities, the satellite-based trials form part of Esat BT's strategy to support regional broadband plans.

A broadband satellite system has been installed in the offices of E-Training International, an IT based services company, in Scariff, Co Clare.

The telcoms firm hopes it will also illustrate how managed solutions can be deployed to deliver broadband access to businesses in regions not currently serviced by the existing broadband fixed line infrastructure.

According to Patricia Byrne, Director - Knowledge Enterprise, Shannon Development: "We were particularly impressed by Esat BT's great willingness and openness to work in partnership with us to meet a business challenge that the market had previously failed to adequately address.

"This is a showcase example during our EU Presidency, which illustrates how innovative technology can be deployed to drive broadband access in the regions and thus enable knowledge-based business activity to not only occur but to thrive," Byrne added.

The high capacity broadband satellite connection will provide much faster internet access and improved email performance across its network of office computers.

According to Nana Luke, director at E-Training International: "We need to be online at all times to communicate with our clients and our eworkers.

"This involves sending and receiving large emails, a full time VPN connection used to publish content to the website of the Irish Presidency of the EU, and use of an online chat programme.

"The satellite connection has substantially improved performance, was very easy to install and has proven itself very reliable in operation," Luke added.

Esat BT is also exploring other opportunities for broadband satellite throughout Ireland.

Anne O'Leary, corporate sales director, Esat BT, commented: "This is the perfect example of cutting edge technology being used to deliver broadband services to businesses outside of the main urban areas.

"We are confident based on initial feedback from E-Training International that this will be one of many successful projects Esat BT will deliver as part of our broadband reach into businesses based in remote and rural regions throughout Ireland."

E-Training International consultants work remotely from their home office locations, both in Ireland and abroad.

The company is currently contracted by the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide all publication and translation services for the Irish EU Presidency website.