Reflecting the general move towards higher broadband speeds, BT launched a new service today which could bring speeds of up to 24Mbps to consumers and businesses in Ireland.
Both Magnet and UPC recently announced services offering speeds of 50Mbps and 20Mbps, respectively. UPC’s service was available from 1 July to over 422,000 broadband-enabled homes in areas such as Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Cork and all other major cabled towns. Meanwhile, Magnet’s faster service introduced in mid-July is available to around 11,000 homes via its own fibre-optic network.
A spokeswoman for BT said it decided to go “hell for leather” with its offering because of recent speed announcements. Its up to 24Mbps service will be available from 22 telephone exchanges where it has installed its own equipment, serving close to 330,000 homes and businesses. It will cost €42.50 (including VAT) a month for consumers or €40 (excluding VAT).
BT currently has 15,000 broadband customers who can avail of the 24Mbps service. Those customers who signed up for the 8Mbps product launched in January will be upgraded automatically. However, those on other packages such as the 1Mbps product, for example, will need to sign up for an upgrade.
“Our investment in a next-generation network in Ireland enables us to radically shake up the market by trebling broadband speeds without increasing prices,” said Emer Kennedy, director of BT’s consumer division. “While actual speeds achieved will be impacted by individual line conditions, by making the maximum attainable speed available on our network, we are ensuring that BT customers have access to the fastest possible DSL service available from any operator in Ireland today.”
BT’s new service will be available immediately in the following exchanges: Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Dolphins Barn, Dublin North Main, Terenure, Merrion, Crown Alley, Beggars Bush, Swords, Clondalkin, Summerhill, Blanchardstown, Naas, Dooradoyle, Navan and Kilkenny City.
By the end of September 2008, the service will be available in Douglas, Ballincollig (Cork) and Whitehall, Belcamp, and Foxrock (Dublin) and Greystones (Wicklow).
BT is introducing unlimited usage for this new service, subject to fair usage. New customers will also get a free connection and a free modem.
By Sorcha Corcoran
