Eircom splashes out on new data centre

29-01-2008

by Stephen Errity

Eircom has signed a EUR100 million contract for a new managed services data centre in Clonshaugh, Co. Dublin.

The telecoms provider claims the new centre will offer 'the most advanced hosting environment in Ireland.' The 125,000 square foot facility is set to open in July of this year and Eircom says it hopes to attract interest from both Irish and international clients looking to improve the management of their critical IT systems.

Commenting on the investment, Eircom's MD of retail Cathal Magee said: "Customers today are far more reliant on their IT systems and their company network to perform vital functions. Plus, the ICT skills shortage continues to bite. The new data centre tackles both these realities at once."

He added: "To stay competitive in the knowledge economy, Ireland absolutely must have facilities like these that redefine the state-of-the-art for hosting and managed services and provide the capacity for expansion that businesses demand."

The new data centre is to be equipped with the latest power, cooling, fire suppression and biometric security measures. It has also been designed to be energy-efficient by minimising power consumption using external temperatures to assist in the cooling of equipment. The centre will also utilise intelligent utilities for systems set-up, monitoring, alert and trouble ticketing.

In other developments related to Eircom, Robert Haulbrooke has stepped down as chairman of the company's mobile division Meteor. He is believed to have already set up a new mobile business in the US and received a EUR2 million 'golden handshake' upon his departure. Eircom chief executive Rex Comb will replace him in the role at Meteor.