Wireless broadband provider Irish Broadband, which recently secured €18m in new investment, is to take on 60 new staff in the coming months to keep up with subscriber growth running at between 200 and 300 new connections per week according to the company.
The firm, which connected its first customer in August 2002, has seen staff numbers grow from 30 at the beginning of 2004 to 102 today. The company said the new staff would be hired throughout 2005.
“2005 looks like it is going to be a hugely important year for wireless broadband technology and for Irish Broadband in particular,” commented managing director Paul Doody. “So far this year we’ve secured €18m in new funding and won some very important broadband delivery contracts. Over the next 12 months we expect to see further strong demand for our wireless broadband services and this recruitment drive will make sure we are 100pc ready to meet that demand as and when it comes.”
Irish Broadband, whose Ripwave residential service is currently being strongly promoted, provides residential and business customers with broadband internet access from €30 per month inclusive of Vat for residential customers and €45 per month for business customers.
Unlike DSL, wireless broadband is delivered over the air. Customers do not require a phone line and all packages have unlimited monthly upload/download allowances as standard.
The company currently provides coverage throughout Dublin City as well as Cork and Galway. By the end of February, Irish Broadband’s wireless broadband services will be expanded to also cover homes and businesses in Limerick, Waterford, Drogheda and Dundalk.
The Commission for Communications Regulation has awarded nice further licences to Irish Broadband under Phase Two of the FWALA 3.5GHz licensing scheme. These licences will be used to provide wireless broadband services to customers living in Athlone, Arklow, Ennis, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Newbridge, Portlaoise, Wexford and Carlow during 2005.
Irish Broadband is a subsidiary of National Toll Roads (NTR). NTR, along with new investor Kilsaran Concrete Products, recently invested €18m in the firm, which plans to use the money to further improve and extend its wireless network.
By Brian Skelly
