* National license for the provision of mobile data and VoIP
* Cell sizes of up to 70km can address rural broadband issue
* Digiweb will provide an “076 mobile” VoIP number
* National rollout begins in 2006
Digiweb Ltd has today announced that it has been offered a national license by Comreg to offer mobile data services in Ireland in the 900Mhz spectrum band.
This is a very significant award to Digiweb who will now add Mobile data and mobile Voice over IP services to it’s growing portfolio of wireless, DSL and satellite products and makes Digiweb one of the strongest players in the fixed and wireless markets in Ireland.
This new license opens up the entire mobile market to new technologies based on next generation, high speed mobile data communications equipment and Digiweb hugely supports this innovative move by Comreg.
Digiweb will be able to offer Customers a small “personal” broadband router which can be used on the move (trains, buses) or in the home or office. Customers will also have the choice of a PCMCIA card which will slot into a laptop and can be used “on the move” at speeds of up to 240 kmph. It will also allow fleet vehicles, trains, buses, taxis etc to be fitted with mobile high speed data units for logistics and time table planning for a fixed fee.
Unlike existing mobile operators who mainly use legacy equipment based on CDMA or HSDPA, Digiweb will have the option to use the latest technologies based on the pure IP protocol and which offer seemless handoff between cells while on the move.
Managing Director of Digiweb Colm Piercy commented “Digiweb is absolutely delighted at this award by Comreg and is going to maximise the potential of the license offered. Being able to offer high speed data services, including mobile VoIP and Broadband completes Digiweb’s mobile strategy and makes us a very significant operator in Ireland for voice and data communications. The potential of this spectrum should not be underestimated and will further capitalise on our existing Cisco based MPLS IP backbone network which we have in place in Ireland and our high capacity Metro platform can also be used to “feed” the mobile cells with connectivity. With “Metro” we overcame the issues faced by local loop unbundling and it’s associated costs and with this license we will enter the mobile data market at a fraction of the cost paid by existing and new mobile operators. Interestingly this spectrum can be easily used with the appropriate Government support to address the issue of rural broadband connectivity. Digiweb will now have a communications portfolio of Wirelsss, DSL, satellite and mobile further adding to the value, reach and strength of the Digiweb offering”