Wi-Fi rolled out
at Mater Private


13 Dec 2005

Driven by an upsurge in the number of business executives undergoing health screening programmes, wireless hotspot (Wi-Fi) provider Bitbuzz has rolled out a Wi-Fi network at Dublin’s Mater Private Hospital.

Bitbuzz managing director Shane Deasy told siliconrepublic.com that the company has deployed its wireless network across the Elizabeth Ward, covering bedrooms and waiting areas, which is used by VIPs and top executives.

“The whole idea is that people who come in for check-ups and health screening programmes are generally in for a day. Because many of these people are businesspeople they can sit down with their laptops and surf the web or conduct work from waiting areas. The solution went live last week and the Mater is very enthusiastic about it,” says Deasy.

Bitbuzz, which was started up two years ago, has more than 80 Wi-Fi hotspots in its network in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and plans to increase this to 200 over the next two years.

Deasy explained that not only has the company established roaming deals with Vodafonje, Boingo, Trustive and iPass but a new roaming deal established with O2 will go live early in the New Year.

Chief executive of the Mater Private Mark Moran weighed up the advantages of the voucher and bill-driven service: “This is a seamless and user-friendly manner to access the internet at broadband speeds and one that we hope both patients and visitors will find useful.”

By John Kennedy