Digiweb enters Irish DSL market

31-03-2004

by Martin Lynch

Competition in the Irish broadband market has received a needed boost with the arrival of Digiweb as the country's fourth supplier of ADSL broadband services.

The Dundalk-based company has announced a series of competitively priced ADSL offerings for residential and business customers across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. Digiweb is already a provider of satellite and wireless broadband services to a mainly business audience. The new ADSL services are expected to help it boost its residential business.

"Each of the services we offer has its own advantages and coverage areas," said Colm Piercy, Digiweb managing director. "For us, wireless broadband was the most practical as it allowed us to build our own networks. Satellite services are ideal for remote businesses but ADSL allows us to reach a wider customer base."

With a connection fee of EUR89 and a monthly charge of EUR38.99, Digiweb's HomeJet residential ADSL service has a lower price than Eircom, but not UTV Internet. In order to attract customers, Digiweb will be offering residential customers higher download limits at 10GB, free firewall software and Web cameras to new customers. Business DSL services start at EUR45 per month (ex. VAT) with a 20GB download limit.

Using an existing phone number, customers can order the service on-line and have the equipment delivered free for self-installation. Digiweb has promised free courier delivery to avoid delays imposed by the postal strike. Recognising the need to raise it's profile against the competition, Digiweb will be kicking off a national newspaper, TV and radio advertising campaign at the weekend.

"Digiweb's announcement of ADSL services across Ireland is great news for broadband in Ireland," commented Minister Dermot Ahern, Minister for Communications Marine and Natural Resources. "This indigenous Irish company has already made great strides this past year delivering broadband and the announcement of a national roll-out will mean more jobs and more broadband services throughout Ireland."

The Irish market currently lags behind other European countries in broadband take up, thanks to infrastructure problems and lack of competition. A lot has happened in recent months though to stimulate the market, including ESB Telecom lowering the cost of its nationwide fibre optic superhighway. Other DSL providers have also been busy, with Eircom cutting the price of its DSL products and UTV Internet offering the first sub-EUR30 DSL service.