DC08-276 July 30, 2008
BT launches next generation broadband in Ireland
- BT introduces full speed ADSL2+ broadband with speeds of up to 24Mb and unlimited usage
Dublin, Wednesday 30th July 2008: BT today announced that it will immediately switch on the full capability of its own next generation network in a radical move that could bring broadband speeds of up to 24Mb to consumers and businesses in Ireland.
The up to 24Mb service, which will be available from telephone exchanges serving close to 330,000 homes and businesses, costs as little as €42.50 (incl VAT) per month for consumers or €40 (ex VAT) for businesses. These prices contrast starkly with eircom’s up to 12Mb broadband service for €169 (ex VAT) per month.
Following on from a successful launch in January of up to 8Mb broadband in selected areas in Dublin, Kildare and Limerick, today’s announcement will see BT investing in additional exchange areas by the end of September 2008. For no additional cost, all customers currently on up to 8Mb broadband will be upgraded to the new service.
Emer Kennedy, Director of BT’s Consumer Division said, “Our investment in a next generation network in Ireland enables us to radically shake up the market by trebling broadband speeds without increasing prices. While actual speeds achieved will be impacted by individual line conditions, by making the maximum attainable speed (24Mb) available on our network, we are ensuring that BT customers have access to the fastest possible DSL broadband service available from any operator in Ireland today.”
Liam O'Brien, Managing Director BT Business, added, "Over the past number of years BT has launched a range of innovative services for businesses including converged voice/data solutions, managed IT services and hosting & data backup and the development of a high bandwidth broadband infrastructure will enable us to continue to drive the market. The availability of full speed ADSL2+ broadband is complementary to the existing high-bandwidth services that we currently offer to the corporate market, where we frequently deliver speeds of 1 Gigabit and greater."
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 new broadband service will be available in Douglas, Ballincollig (Cork) and Whitehall, Belcamp, and Foxrock (Dublin) and Greystones (Wicklow).
The company is also introducing unlimited usage for this new service, subject to fair usage.
New customers will also get a free connection and free modem.
For more details on BT’s new broadband service and pricing please visit www.btireland.ie or call 1800 923 927.
Ends
Notes to Editors
BT’s next generation ADSL2+ broadband service supports an effective maximum speed of 24Mb and end customer lines will deliver the highest possible stable speeds they can support. However, distance from the exchange, internal wiring, interference from electrical appliances and other factors will continue to affect an end customer’s broadband speed. Customers with short, high quality lines should achieve the full 24Mb connection speed. Customers on longer/poorer lines will typically achieve double the speed of first generation ADSL1 services. The key to the performance of our service is not just the connection speed, but equally the quality of the BT backhaul network.
As with all broadband services, actual download speeds will also vary by time of day and will depend on factors such as how busy the internet is, the speed of the internet website or service you are accessing, and whether the connection is being shared with other users.
BT Broadband is subject to availability and survey and there is a minimum term.
Unlimited download usage is subject to terms and conditions and a fair usage policy.
