Business broadband wars erupt as Imagine gives it away for free

30 Sep 2008

Sean Bolger’s Imagine, which earlier this year acquired Irish Broadband for €47m, is to give SME businesses 3Mbps of broadband for free as part of a new array of services.

The new campaign will represent a €20m investment by the company, and is claimed to be a response to the economic challenges facing SMEs.

Imagine, which currently has some 15,000 SME broadband customers, wants to grow its marketshare from the current 9pc to 15pc within the next 12 months.

Businesses that accept the offer will get their broadband for free, and can get 25pc off the cost of their phone calls.

Imagine’s commercial director Ruairi Jennings (pictured) said that businesses will have the option of increasing their speeds to 12Mbps as their needs grow.

He said the new services could potentially save firms €100m over the next five years.

“With this package from Imagine, the average SME will save €1,200 annually, amounting to €6,000 over a five-year period.”

By John Kennedy

Pictured: Ruari Jennings, Imagine Broadband’s commercial director, with a big cheque for Ireland’s SMEs

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

editorial@siliconrepublic.com