Broadband Internet Services available to SMEs in Ireland 2011

By Zoe Furlong N0080498

What is broadband

Broadband is a high data rate connection to the internet

It can be up to 100 times faster than dial up connection

Broadband is measured in Megabits per second (MBps)

Knocklyon is a largely populated area, preliminary figures from the 2011 Census suggest the population of Knocklyon to be above 10,000

There are multiple number of broadband options available to the population of Knocklyon

Knocklyon broadband service

Coaxil cable – is an electrical cable with an inner conductor surrounded by a flexible, tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular conducting shield

Always on – allows you to stay connected to the Internet 24 hours a day

Internet Service Provider - is a company that provides access to the Internet, ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections

Glossary of terms

Download capacity – some broadband companies restrict the download speed allowed depending on the broadband pack chosen

Download speed – how quickly a file can be downloaded, can affect watching videos, listening to music, online conferences

Upload speed – refers to the speed the information is transferred from the internet to your computer

Glossary of terms

ADSL

Mobile

Satellite

Wireless

Cable

Connection Types

ADSL broadband is the most commonly used type of broadband

It offers, connection, line rental, broadband and local and national landline calls

Advantages Disadvantages1. Split line 1. Downloads faster

than uploads2. Speed and reliability 2. Must have phone line3. Flat rate charge 3. Accessibility

from fixed point only

ADSL

Mobile broadband is portable internet provided through a dongle to your laptop/desktop

They pick up broadband through the mobile network and transmit them into your portable device

Advantages Disadvantages1. No landline necessary 1. Cost2. Accessibility 2. Speed may vary3. Easy to set up 3. Download

and upload restrictions

Mobile

Satellite broadband is internet connection provided by satellite rather than dial up, dsl or cable connectivity

The internet is beamed from the satellite to the dish on the customers home or business

Advantages Disadvantages1. Grants those restricted 1. Can be expensiveaccess2. It does not affect phone line 2. Not all phone wires

equipped with DSL service 3. High upload and download 3. Connection problems due speeds distance travel

Satellite

Wireless broadband is high-speed internet service provided through wireless technology over a wide area

Wireless broadband is available through a wireless broadband modem

Advantages Disadvantages1. Shared between 1. Wireless

trafficmultiple devices2. Extremely mobile 2. Congestion online3. Very fast 3. It can be easily

hacked

Wireless

Cable broadband is provided by the local cable TV provider, sharing the same cable connection as the tv

Cable offers speeds up to 400 Megabits per second download speed

Advantages Disadvantages1. Uses opitical fibres which 1. Costcreate fast transmission2. Bundling options (TV, 2. Slow speedtelephone and broadband)

Cable

Companies providing broadband in Knocklyon

Eircom

Eircom Next Generation BASIC Package 8Mb of broadband 10Gb usage allowance Price includes line rental Unlimited local and national off peak calls €39.99 a month

ADSL Provider – Eircom

Vodafone

Vodafone Performance Plus Package and Modem “Get online almost everywhere” 5 hours of internet browsing a day Usage allowance of 10Gb Stick modem is free €24.99 a month for a 12 month contract

Mobile - Vodafone

Onwave

The Eight Plan Download speed of 8Mb Upload speed of 2Mb Download allowance of 2Mb Once off installation of €99.00 Activation fee of €25.00 €59.95 a month

Satellite – Onwave

Digiweb

Business Metro Package 8Mb upload speed 2Mb download speed Traffic Quota of 70Gb 2 phone lines included €49 installation charge Free wireless router €49.95 a month

Wireless - Digiweb

UPC

Fibre Power broadband 25Mb Free wireless modem Digital Value TV with Digital+ Home phone with Freetime world €60.00 a month

Cable provider - UPC

As a SME I would choose UPC I feel that I am getting the most for my

money with this package I receive landline, TV and broadband It is a fair price for what is being provided It has a high upload and download speed Although UPC are not renowned for their

customer service I am willing to be optimistic and go with them

What would I choose

From doing this project I have learnt many different things

Ireland is still adapting and growing in the broadband industry

Most broadband companies now offer bundles of TV, landline and broadband

Satellite broadband is still very expensive Mobile broadband has a lot of limitations

Reflection

http://www.digiweb.ie/ http://business.upc.ie/ http://www.vodafone.ie/ http://www.onwave.ie/ http://www.eircom.net/broadband/?WT.svl=2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Broadband_Internet_access http://www.getbroadband.ie/ http://whatismyipaddress.com/broadband

Websites Used