Tipperary Institute
About Us
Broadband
What is Broadband ?
Currently the accepted minimum speed of broadband is 512kbps download and 128kbps upload. (This is 10 times faster than a 56kb modem dialup connection.) Broadband Companies are offering upto 3mb download.
Upto means that this is best speed which may be achieved. In reality it is likely to be a fraction of that depending on a number of factors, but primarily how busy the service is overall.
It is an ‘always-on’ connection. Users do not need to dial-up or log-off every time they want to get on or off the Internet. This has the added advantage of alleviating the problem of being "on the Internet" and missing voice calls. Entry level offerings like "Broadband Time" from Eircom, aren't truely broadband, because they don't have a fixed cost.
What does it cost ?
Apart from a once off charge for installation, broadband is charged at a fixed monthly cost. Certain Broadband packages may have limits to the amount of traffic you may have but in general a regular user won't go near these limits. Most companies currently have introductory offers (3 months free or Free installation). Currently residential ADSL costs between €30-50 per month. UPC Chorus / NTL offers a cable package for €35.
What Broadband Options are available in Tipperary ?
Broadband Suppliers
ADSL: (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line): Currently available from multiple Vendors in most towns or villages with a population of 1,500 or so.
Cable: Provided by Chorus in Clonmel, Thurles and Kilkenny. The broadband is provided on the same coaxial cable which provides
the TV service. www.cablenet.ie
Satellite: Available everywhere. The main disadvantage to Satellite is the cost of the equipment and the Latency can make it not
suitable for certain interactive applications like Video Conferencing and Voice Over IP.
Wireless: Not available in Tipperary yet, but could play a big part in conjunction with government funded
Group Broadband Schemes and Community Broadband Schemes. Premier Broadband, FWI, Westnet and Irish Broadband are the
companys who are currently involved with Group Broadband Schemes in Tipperary.
Mobile: Available over the mobile phone networks. www.o2.ie, www.vodafone.ie, www.three.ie
Top 10 things people use broadband to access the Internet for.
1. Finding stuff - "It's not what you know, it's what you know how to find out" - Accommodation, Golf Courses, a new house, a college, a college course, What's on where ?. Surf the web faster, browse for longer.
2. Communication - With Broadband, emails are delivered immediately and you can send and receive bigger attachments (Files, higher quality movies) Make IP telephone calls for 2c a minute to anywhere in the world with www.skype.com. Free SMS text messages from Vodafone and o2.
3. Online Banking - All the major banks - check your accounts, transfer money, pay bills etc.
4. Paying bills - Motor tax
5. Online Resources - Newspapers, Radio Stations, Reading news papers
6. Discussion Groups - Chat rooms, Bulletin Boards. Like minded people discussing common topics.
7. Holiday planning - www.theaa.ie, www.aerlingus.com, www.ryanair.com, Hotel Accommodation
8. Online Shopping - Price comparison, Shopping, Online Auctions.
9. Online Gaming - Why play on your own. Broadband makes it possible.
10. Updating your PC - Windows Update files, Virus Protection files, New PC Drivers
What Government Initiatives are there ?
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
A MAN is a network of ducting and fibre optic cable laid within a metropolitan area which can be used by a variety of businesses and
organisations to provide services including but not limited to telecoms, internet access, television, telematics, and CCTV. More Information.
In Tipperary there is one existing MAN in Clonmel.
MANs in development:
North Tipperary: Nenagh, Roscrea, Templemore
South Tipperary: Carrick-on-suir, Tipperary Town, Cahir and Cashel
The MANs are managed by a company called e-Net. www.e-net.ie
County and Group Broadband Scheme
The objective of the County and Group Broadband Schemes (CGBS) is to promote the rollout of broadband access through the establishment of sustainable broadband services in towns, villages, rural hinterlands and underserved areas of larger towns on the basis of local/regional authority coordination and community driven initiatives. The scheme is open to all smaller and rural communities of less than 1,500 people. It enables local communities to draw up and implement their own broadband plans either on their own, or in partnership with broadband Internet service providers. More Information
Schools Broadband Programme
Under the programme each school will be connected to the schools broadband network via broadband access links, which will be provided by Broadband Providers. A public procurement tender process has been conducted and the current status of the project can be found at the following link. www.ncte.ie/Broadband/CurrentStatus/
What else do I need to know ?
Getting broadband means you're on the internet all the time, so you are more prone to Viruses
Virus Protection is a must !! It is important that whatever product you choose, that you get regular updates of virus definition files
Windows Update If you are running one of the Windows operating systems then you should ensure you keep your machine upto date with the latest
security patches. http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Firewall For further security you may want to look at installing a firewall which will give you added protection. Some broadband
suppliers provide equipment which can act as a firewall. If you need more advice contact a professional.
Other Broadband Information Resources
www.broadband.gov.ie Government Broadband site
www.broadband4ireland.com Broadband4Ireland
www.comreg.ie Commission for Communications Regulation
www.irelandoffline.org Ireland Offline
www.irishwan.org Irish WAN
www.makeitsecure.ie Government Internet Security Advice
www.shannonbroadband.com Shannon Broadband
www.irishsilicon.com Web Blog relating to CGBS
www.boards.ie Bulletin Board Discussion on Broadband
www.irishisptest.com/myspeed/ Broadband Speed Test
For further information regarding broadband in Tipperary email: requests@tippnet.ie