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European Space Agency

Press Release

Broadband Internet service, a boost for rural Ireland
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22 January 2003

The South West Regional Authority in Ireland has secured funding from
ESA to carry out trials that will provide high bandwidth broadband
Internet access via satellite to remote areas of the country. 

An Tanaiste Deputy Mary Harney T.D., Irish Minister for Enterprise,
Trade and Employment, launched the South West Broadband Initiative on
Friday, 17th January 2003 in Cork, S. Ireland. The launch was also
attended by Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, alongside
representatives from the South West Regional Authority.

The Initiative, in cooperation with Cork County Council and Kerry
County Council, along with project partner organisations will test,
demonstrate and evaluate the usability, cost-effectiveness and
reliability of local wireless networks in Cahirciveen, and Killarney
in Co. Kerry and in Bantry, Co. Cork. These towns are expected to be
the first of many towns in the South West to benefit from
satellite-fed wireless broadband.

This infrastructure is expected to stimulate and facilitate the
development of new economic activities in towns around the region and
will also act as a shop window across the rest of Ireland, and be of
significant interest around Europe. 

Mr. Francesco Feliciani, Head of the Applications Section in the ESA
Telecom Department said, "Today, Broadband connectivity is becoming
part of our everyday environment. Disconnection will inevitably become 
a discriminating factor, hampering economic and social development. 
This is why the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes and supports the 
South West Broadband Initiative, in the frame of the ESA
Telecommunications programme line.".

The satellite technology will be utilized for uplinks and downlinks,
in delivering government/public services, education and training,
business development and health and medicine information and services, 
using various applications and satellite operators, delivering 
different bandwidths, as required.

The Regional Authority is especially interested in working with any
Irish or European Small or Medium Sized Enterprises, who work in
research and development or manufacturing of complimentary
technologies. The project offers such companies a test bed and
demonstration platform for their product or service. 

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