It’s Dingle Dongle as outdoor mesh Wi-Fi network goes live

1 Dec 2009

A tourist hotspot has become a wireless hotspot! A new Wi-Fi network will provide outdoor internet access to visitors and residents at the marina and surrounding area in Dingle, Co Kerry.

The new network was installed by Bitbuzz in collaboration with wireless systems integrator firm iLink.

Bitbuzz and iLink have developed an outdoor wireless mesh solution to provide Wi-Fi access at this popular tourist destination in the southwest of Ireland.

The network’s construction

iLink built the outdoor network using next-generation wireless mesh Wi-Fi technology, while Bitbuzz will manage the Wi-Fi service, enabling new and existing Bitbuzz customers to access managed internet from anywhere in the Dingle Marina.

“Depending on its success, we hope to roll out the service to other outdoor tourist locations around the country,” said Shane Deasy, managing director, Bitbuzz.

“So far, we are extremely satisfied with the usage in the area, considering it is off season,” Deasy added.

Increasing demand for Wi-Fi

Demand for Wi-Fi access is increasing everywhere, said Philip Curneen, director of іLink.

“The demand for Wi-Fi access is increasing everywhere. Dingle is visited by nearly 750,000 people every year by bus, car, bike and yacht, so we decided to provide easy access to outdoor Wi-Fi in the Marina and surrounding area as a value-added service.

“While people come to Dingle to experience the scenery and general enjoyment in the area they now have access to Wi-Fi, as well,” Curneen said.

By John Kennedy

Photo: Philip Curneen, director of iLink, at the Dingle Marina, Co Kerry, trying out Bitbuzz’s new open-area Wi-Fi network covering the Marina and surrounding areas.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com