Dublin households will be able to obtain high speed wireless internet access at nearly half the cost of existing DSL (digital subscriber line) services following price cuts by wireless internet provider Irish Broadband, writes Karlin Lillington.

In a move likely to spur further competition in the home internet access market, Irish Broadband will offer a wireless service that matches DSL download speeds for €30 a month including VAT.

Business packages now start at €75 excluding VAT.

The company said it had dropped installation charges by 61 per cent as well, to €149 and under depending on the package, which includes the cost of a modem-like receiving device.

“There’s a huge optimism about wireless access in the market, because it’s a real solution,” said Mr Paul Doody, managing director, Irish Broadband.

He said DSL services would only be capable of reaching 50 per cent of Irish homes, while wireless could ultimately reach even more rural areas.
Mr Doody disputed Eircom's contention earlier this year before an Oireachtas committee that there was little consumer demand for broadband internet access.

He feels there is untapped “massive demand”, but price has kept take-up of existing services at a low level.

Irish Broadband uses wireless base stations located in 12 points around Dublin to provide service to home and business subscribers. Customers up to 5km away from the base stations can receive the service, but at the moment, most subscribers need to be within the line of sight of a station, which limits availability.

However, Irish Broadband is introducing a new receiving device for home users called the Ripwave, which doesn't rely on line of sight.
Irish Broadband is a wholly-owned subsidiary of infrastructure builder NTR.