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The Telecommunications and Internet Federation (TIF), the IBEC group that represents Irish telecoms providers today launched a new agreed set of eight principles that the industry believes should inform the roll-out of next generation networks (NGNs) in Ireland.
Twenty one telecom service providers in Ireland have signed up to the set of principles, which were today presented to Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan TD by a TIF delegation. See attached full pdf document outlining the principles.
TIF Chairman Gerry Fahy said: “There has been a significant improvement in the availability of broadband in Ireland over the last 12 months. There is now almost 90% broadband coverage across Ireland with almost 900,000 broadband customers. The government's National Broadband Scheme, which TIF recommended to the Government, will bring this coverage to almost 100% in the near future.”
Following presentation of the guidelines, Ryan said “The guidelines presented to me today will assist in informing the move towards next generation networks in Ireland. My Department will shortly publish a policy paper on NGN for public consultation, which will give the public and industry alike, the opportunity to put forward their views on the roll-out of a high-speed and cost effective broadband service. These guidelines are a very useful first step in this process of discussion. There is a clear demand for a quality broadband service in this country and I am confident that we are now in a position to succeed in its delivery."
Irish providers are currently investing in the order of €700m p.a. in developing their networks, which is a very significant investment. Next generation networks will transform the telecommunications landscape in Ireland and will make available to Irish consumers and businesses a host of exciting new services and applications.
Chairman of the TIF Broadband NGN industry group John McKeon of eircom said: “Next generation networks have the potential to deliver a completely new experience to customers by enabling them to integrate and move seamlessly between all of their communications services - voice, mobile, high speed broadband and TV. By setting out a shared vision of how all service providers can work together, with appropriate support from the public sector, these principles can help make this potential a reality.”
Vice-Chair of the Tif Broadband NGN industry group Peter Evans of BT Ireland said: “For businesses, NGN’s will improve productivity through faster, richer and more flexible communications with customers, suppliers, partners and remote employees”
The eight principles that industry believes should inform the roll-out of next generation networks are:
1. Consumer Choice
2. Equal Access
3. Competitive Price and Quality
4. Corporate Social Responsibility
5. Support f or the National Economic Strategy
6. Investment, Innovation And Research
7. Appropriate Regulatory Context
8. Industrial Leadership
Membership of the TIF Broadband NGN Industry group includes: Aurora Telecom, BT Ireland, Cable and Wireless,, Clearwire Broadband, Colt Telecom Ireland, Commergy, Data electronics Group, Digiweb, e-net, eircom, ESB Telecoms, Hutchison 3 G Ireland. Irish Broadband, Magnet Networks, Meteor, O2, Perlico, Premier Data Centres, Smart Telecom, Surecom NS, UPC Ireland and Vodafone.
