The document summarizes broadband options for a small graphic design business in Phibsboro, Dublin. It analyzes four options - cable with Chorus NTL, landline with Eircom, fixed wireless with Irish Broadband, and mobile with Vodafone. For each, it provides details on pricing and speeds. It ultimately recommends the Chorus NTL 'Fibre Power Broadband 30Mb' package for its fast speeds, unlimited usage, and lowest price of €42 per month. A brief comparison is also made to slower broadband services in New Zealand.

1. Broadband in Phibsboro, Dublin 7 By Rosie O’Toole

2. Introduction... The purpose of this presentation is to explore the broadband options available to a small graphics design business in the Phibsboro area, Dublin 7. First of all, I will explain show of the terminology that will be used throughout the presentation and show all the internet providers that cover the Phibsboro area. Secondly, I will narrow these down to 4 options; 1 cable option, 1 landline option, 1 wireless option and 1 mobile option. I will choose a package from each of these options which I feel suits the small business parameters.

3. For the purposes of a graphic design company, upload speed would be very important. This would make uploading graphics onto the net a lot faster and easier. As the company is small and starting out, I will also be looking for a good deal. In saying that, it is important to ensure you are getting a quality service and sometimes this means paying a little more. There should be a good balance between service and price. While shopping for broadband, it is advisable to keep an eye on the contention ratio. Anything above 24:1 is not ideal. The higher the ratio and the higher the risk of a slow connection.

4. Broadband Terminology… Download/Upload Speed – the speed at which data can be downloaded/uploaded on the connection. This is measured in… Kbps - Kilo Bites Per Second or Mbps – Mega Bites Per Second Contention Ratio – ratio used to show how many people could be sharing the capacity on one connection.

5. …more terminology Wireless Broadband - works by utilising radio waves to carry the signal to your home/business from the internet service provider. Cable Broadband - communicates data through radio frequencies on a cable television infrastructure. Landline Broadband – uses telephone lines to carry broadband signal to your home/business (establishes a permanent connection). Mobile Broadband – a small lightweight modem is plugged into the USB socket of the computer/laptop and can be used when access time has been bought from service provider.

6. Business Package Providers Chorus NTL / UPC Ireland http://www.upc.ie/broadband/ Magnet Business Broadband http://magnet.ie/index.php/entertainment/index.html Irish Broadband http://www.irishbroadband.ie/ Eircom Broadband http://www.eircom.net/broadband/ Strencom ISP Broadband http://www.strencom.net/ Imagine Broadband http://www.imagine.ie/ (All except Stencom ISP also provide Home Packages which could be used for SME’s)

7. Home Package Providers (that could be used for SME’s) Perlico Broadband http://www.perlico.com/ Digiweb Broadband http://www.digiweb.ie/ Mobile Broadband Providers O2 Broadband http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/Home/Business/Business+Solutions/O2+Broadband/ Vodafone Broadband http://www.vodafone.ie/broadband/ 3Broadband http://www.three.ie/broadband/?gclid=CLyFyMrmxJ8CFRc9lAodfz-R0g

8. Option 1. Cable Connection Chorus ntl (UPC) is a cable television and MMDS (Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service, also known as wireless cable). Cable technology connects the business/home to the internet via a cable modem and a fibre optic network. Chorus ntl provide T.V., broadband and telephone services and have packages for both homes and businesses. For the purposes of this assignment I have chosen one of their home packages as the upload speed on their business packages are quite low (max 1536Kb). The option I have chosen is called ‘Fibre Power Broadband 30Mb’ (see details on next slide). You do need an existing television connection to avail of this option.

9. Chorus nlt: ‘Fibre Power Broadband 30Mb’

10. Option 2. Landline Connection Eircom is presently the largest telecommunications operator in the Republic of Ireland. They run a fixed-line telephone network, own a mobile network, Meteor, and operate as an internet service provider. They also install and monitor alarm systems under the name EircomPhonewatch. They offer many packages for home and business customers as well as mobile broadband deals. I have chosen their ‘Up to 12/1Mb Business Plus’ option (see next slide for details). It has a relatively good upload speed and satisfactory download speed. It isn’t too expensive (€65 per month) and has a special introductory price of €41. Line Rental is not included and there is a minimum contract of 12 months.

11. Eircom: ‘Up to 12/1Mb Business Plus’

12. Option 3. Fixed Wireless Connection Irish Broadband provide wireless broadband services. The company was recently acquired by Imagine Communications, an Irish internet and telephone service provider who predominantly resell Eircom wholesale packages. Irish Broadband have 3 service options, Breeze (fixed wireless), Ripwave (broadband in a box) and ADSL (resold Eircom packages) As I wish to show an example of fixed wireless provider, I will choose their ‘Breeze 4Mb’ option. There is no phone line required and so no line rental. There is a minimum subscription period of 12 months.

13. Irish Broadband: ‘Breeze 4Mb’

14. Option 4. Mobile Broadband Connection Vodafone is the world’s second largest mobile phone operator. They use 3G (3rd Generation) technology, which includes wireless voice and video calls and wireless data all in a mobile environment. Vodafone also provide fixed broadband and landline packages. With Vodafone’s mobile broadband you can choose between their ‘Prepay’ or ‘Pay Monthly’ options. Regardless, of which of these options you choose, you are provided with a small modem that plugs into your computer’s USB connection. It also has a slot that can incorporate a SDmicro memory card. These modems come in 6 different colours so you can pick you that suits your laptop or even your personality! The obvious advantage of mobile broadband is that you can take it with you wherever you go. The main disadvantage is the upload speeds are quite low. I have chosen the ‘Pay Monthly’ mobile broadband option as I feel it would better suit a business model.

15. Vodafone: ‘Pay Monthly ’

16. A Final Comparison…

17. The Ultimate Choice…. Keeping the brief in mind, I would recommend the Chorus Ntl ‘Fibre Power Broadband 30Mb’. Download Speed - 30Mbps is a very fast download speed. This number may not represent the actual speed you will get, but higher the better. Upload Speed – 3Mbps is a great upload speed. The Irish Broadband Breeze option had a higher speed of 4Mbps but their connection fee and contention ratio are higher.

18. This option has an unlimited usage limit, free connection* and includes a free modem. You don’t get much better than that. All this for the cheapest of all the prices in my comparison, €42 a month. *Assuming there is an existing television connection. If not, Ntl also offer good deals for Broadband & T.V. Package

19. Broadband in New Zealand While comparing packages in New Zealand to packages available here, it becomes very apparent that there is a huge difference in quality of services. They do not seem to have cable television networks and use many landline and mobile internet connections. This results in much slower download/upload speeds and usage limits are prevalent. This means that as a nation they have not invested in the necessary infrastructure for quality broadband. See next slide for relevant websites.

20. New Zealand Broadband Websites Broadband Comparison Site TelstraClear Broadband Packages Telecom Business Broadband National Broadband Map