Broadband on Bus Eireann

Routes from Dublin to Drogheda, Kildare, Navan and Wicklow will use Wi-Fi on the bus itself, with one of the country’s mobile operators (currently unidentified) providing the backhaul.

Bus Éireann communications manager Erica Roseingrave said: “Thousands commute into the capital on Bus Éireann daily and being able to access the internet, work online and check email will be a major advantage for them.”

The new service is part of a technology programme that also includes ‘advanced vehicle location’, providing real-time passenger timetable information at bus stations, online and by text message.

ComReg spectrum strategy

In its draft Spectrum Strategy Statement 2008–2010, ComReg, Ireland’s Commission for Communications Regulation, notes the period will see many changes in deployment and spectrum use, as well as increased demand from a wide variety of areas.

More than 126,000 subscribers currently receive wireless broadband, with an additional 135,000 using broadband over mobile networks.

ComReg chairperson John Doherty said: “Radio spectrum is generally recognised as a key economic resource for any nation, and our assessment of the contribution made by radio spectrum to the Irish economy for 2006 is almost €3 billion (£2.4bn), which is 1.67 per cent of total GDP.

Additionally, radio spectrum remains a vital component in supporting Irish businesses through advanced communications systems.

Responses to the document, available from www.comreg.ie, are invited up to April 11, 2008.

Moriarty draws to a close

Counsel for former Digifone owner Denis O’Brien told the Moriarty tribunal his client believed the final report would be “damaging to him, and critical of the way the competition for the second mobile phone licence was run in 1995”.

The tribunal was told if these fears are justified, the report would “blacken the reputation” of Irish government, and as a place to do business. The tribunal has scheduled April 15 to hear final evidence from economist Dr Peter Bacon.

A row is anticipated over the questions lawyers may ask Mr Bacon, with the tribunal wanting to limit them to the content of Bacon’s two reports on the licence award process. O’Brien’s team are urging for no restraints on the questioning process.

Mobile subs hit five million

ComReg’s report for Q4 2007 has revealed mobile phone subscriptions reached five million, equating to a penetration figure of 116 per cent. Subscriber numbers increased almost 77,000.

A total of 7.58 billion text messages were sent during the year, up seven per cent on the previous year.

Overall revenues for the communications market was €1.14 billion (£90bn) in Q4, with the total turnover for 2007 €4.56 billion.

Some 1.13 million mobile numbers have been ported since the service began in June 2003.

Xiam Technologies sold to Qualcomm

US technology firm Qualcomm has paid €14.7m for Dublin outfit Xiam Technologies.
Formed in 2004 with assistance from Enterprise Ireland, Xiam specialises in developing marketing solutions that allow network operators to analyse data traffic and assess the viability and profitability of services.

Orange UK and Vodafone Ireland already use Xiam’s product to gain information on how subscribers use mobile data, using it to target promotional offers.

31 staff are employed at the company HQ in Dublin, but Xiam chief executive Colm Healy expects this to double as part of Qualcomm’s investment. No management changes are planned and Xiam will retain its identity as part of a wholly-owned subsidiary.