The merger of two wireless internet service providers (ISPs) will result in the creation of 35 new jobs as the company expands to become an all-Ireland player.
The combination of Amocom and Callidus/Omnitel will see the creation of a new company called Ripple Communications, or Ripplecom for short.
The merger will see the new entity increase its workforce from 14 to 50 full-time employees over the next three years by growing its customer base to 30,000, expanding services to 26 counties and partnering with tech industry leaders to provide best-of-breed services.
Ripplecom began trading earlier this month from its headquarters in Blackpool, Co Cork, and regional office in Limerick.
It has 3,100 customers in 12 counties and operates from 235 wireless access points (WAP).
Plans to expand
IFA Telecom is supporting the company’s expansion plans, while significant funding has been secured from Farmer Business Developments (FBD) to drive customer numbers.
“Ripplecom’s core focus is to provide broadband connectivity to residential, SoHo, SME and corporate customers within an ever-expanding footprint and to work with communities to deliver a sustainable broadband service,” explained managing director John McDonnell.
The merger will enable Amocom and Callidus/Omnitel to grow more meaningfully than they could have done on their own.
Service demands
McDonnell noted that Ripplecom’s growth would be driven by the demand for its services in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of the country that have limited or no broadband service.
He explained: “The provision of quality broadband is essential for the development of businesses and jobs in communities across Ireland. We are looking forward to expanding our network into other poorly serviced parts of the country as we are very aware that such vital infrastructure is key to attracting investment to these areas.”
Prior to the establishment of Ripplecom, Callidus traded as Omnitel, with IFA as one of its shareholders. The South County Dublin-based company provided broadband services to counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Wexford, Dublin, Laois, Kildare, Meath and Offaly.
Cork-based Amocom, meanwhile, serviced counties Cork, Waterford and Clare.
By John Kennedy
Photo: Ripple Communications Limited, the result of a merger between Irish wireless internet service providers, Amocom and Callidus/Omnitel, is to create 35 new jobs.
