Benefits of Broadband to:
Telecommunications Service Providers
The rollout of the Limerick Metro network around Limerick City and its environs offers a special opportunity for private sector companies who are interested in providing services to local businesses and consumers.
The broadband loop provides the capacity to transmit large amounts of information at high speed from place to place in Limerick and onwards to other locations. However, to enable local firms, homes, schools, hospitals, retailers and other users tap into this facility, entrepreneurial companies need to develop and offer local access networks and services.
Companies such as Eircom, Esat BT and Chorus already offer some such access services via DSL, wireless and cable connections. The new broadband "backbone", which will be available at attractive rates, can enhance these existing services, while also encouraging other companies to offer new types of services in the Limerick area, either using similar technologies or newer wireless and local access technologies. Ultimately this will provide greater competition and reduce prices to the end-user.
End users
Now that the Broadband Network is laid around Limerick, it provides private Service Providers the opportunity to offer the appropriate local access services to link up with the Network, a number of potential benefits will arise for local users.
Major Users
Direct connections will be made from the fibre optic network to major users, including large industries, third-level colleges and hospitals. Broadband is vital for today’s global businesses, facilitating a wide variety of commercial interactions and communications. Colleges and hospitals stand to benefit greatly as well.
Small Business
Small businesses will be able to exchange data and information on their products with customers overseas in ‘real time’, via a DSL connection, for instance, over the existing copper phone line and onward to the Broadband backbone.
Home Users
Service providers will be able to link up homes with the broadband network, e.g. through wireless and other connections. This will enable domestic users to carry out various online tasks in ‘real time’, from shopping to linking up with family members abroad through video-conferencing, sharing photographs, videos or family tree information quickly.
Retail Business
A connection from the retail business to the broadband loop can assist in growing sales of products and services online by enabling robust, high-speed Internet connections and making it easier for the consumer to access the web sites.
Public Services
In the future, the public will be able to carry out a number of important but time-consuming tasks, such as renewing their car tax and passports or filling in their tax returns on-line in ‘real time’.