Digital infrastructure: Ireland's next Ardnacrusha opportunity

[cactusflower]

Over a four-year period, the 27 towns saw their share of foreign direct investment (FDI) grow from 24pc to 90pc

What does that mean ? 90 % of what, do you think.
The MANs are yet another piecemeal effort. We are too low density a population - we need wireless broadband and plenty of it.

As someone already said, at leat ten years late.

There is no sign that either FF or the Greens are prepared to do what's necessary. Energy costs and broadband deficiencies are what is driving firms out of ireland. Wages come further down the list.

[fiannafailure]

What does that mean ? 90 % of what, do you think.
The MANs are yet another piecemeal effort. We are too low density a population - we need wireless broadband and plenty of it.

As someone already said, at leat ten years late.

There is no sign that either FF or the Greens are prepared to do what's necessary. Energy costs and broadband deficiencies are what is driving firms out of ireland. Wages come further down the list.

When Spirit of Ireland offered to carry an optical fibre broadband link on its proposed western backbone there was zero interest in political circles, it seems that joined up thinking is to be avoided like a horrible disease, by our politicians

[Dios]

South Korea is the living proof that a strong digital infrastructure opens lots of doors. Free municipal wifi, expanding countrywide (we already have it via GPRS networks really) and complete broadband penetration, treat it like a utility, thats what we need here.

[fiannafailure]

Yes Dios but in Ireland utilities tend to cost more than they should

[Dios]

Yes Dios but in Ireland utilities tend to cost more than they should

Especially politicians! Take as a given that any recommendations I come out with assume as a prerequisite the complete removal of the existing government, and a general overhaul.

[fiannafailure]

Especially politicians! Take as a given that any recommendations I come out with assume as a prerequisite the complete removal of the existing government, and a general overhaul.

But that would mean several family businesses going down the drain in areas like Donegal, Mayo, Offaly even.. mmm wonder what the broadband and knowledge economies are like in those counties

[Dios]

But that would mean several family businesses going down the drain in areas like Donegal, Mayo, Offaly even..

As great a loss to the local economy as the nascent political dynasties would be, we'll struggle on by without them, I reckon.

mmm wonder what the broadband and knowledge economies are like in those counties

Come to think of it there aren't too many posters from thereabouts.

[adamirer]

Funny, there were heaps of posters criticising the MANs just 3 weeks ago here, though it was based on a ridiculopusly one sided Indo article that tooka few negative comments froma report and ignored all the positives.

[adamirer]

What does that mean ? 90 % of what, do you think.
The MANs are yet another piecemeal effort. We are too low density a population - we need wireless broadband and plenty of it.

As someone already said, at leat ten years late.

There is no sign that either FF or the Greens are prepared to do what's necessary. Energy costs and broadband deficiencies are what is driving firms out of ireland. Wages come further down the list.

The MANs are a piece, not piecemeal part of the solution, but some of your post is patently ridiculous. Are you suggesting (and you said 'driving firms out of Ireland' that DELL, Element 6, SR Technics and the dozens of names I've forgotten are driven out by a lack of broadband? Utter hogwash. It might be a problem for a small number of small firms in very rural areas, but its ain't a modern day St. Patrick!

The MANs deliver fibre through virtually all of the big towns in ireland that might need it, linking industrial parks with urban centres, and conecting with eircom backhaul, and where alternative providers exist, with BT (the raillines), ESB-T (the fibre wrap figure of 8) and others. You can't expect the Government to build everything. Any company that needs it can get it, any company that is setting up here, has a few dozen towns to choose from with top of the range fibre available.

Broadband is not driving companies out of Ireland, nor is it a barrier to new companies coming here. There are plenty of choices.

[Dios]

Broadband is not driving companies out of Ireland, nor is it a barrier to new companies coming here. There are plenty of choices.

You only have to look at the ubiquitous broadband in South Korea to see that it offers many advantages though.

South Korea’s creation of its broadband infrastructure and industry led to the development of South Korea’s identity as a tech-savvy leader in the global information technology world. Prior to that, the country’s tech industries were often seen as lower-cost manufacturers of tech goods. The change in identity can be seen in contemporary Korean culture, like Korean movies that portray the image of Korean youth as the connected early adopter.