Up and coming communications player Digiweb has been offered a national licence by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) to offer mobile data services in Ireland in the 900Mhz spectrum, known as wideband digital mobile data (WDMDS) services.
The company said the new licence opens up the entire mobile market to new technologies based on next-generation high-speed mobile data communications equipment.
The company plans to add mobile data and mobile voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to its existing portfolio of wireless, DSL and satellite products.
Under the new service, Digiweb will be able to offer its customers a small ‘personal’ broadband router that can be used on the move (such as on trains and buses) or in the home or office. Users will also have the option of a PCMCIA card that will slot into a laptop and can be used on the move at speeds of up to 240 kilometres an hour.
It will also allow fleet vehicles such as trains, buses, taxis and trucks to be fitted with mobile high-speed data units for logistics and timetable planning for a fixed fee.
Digiweb will have the option to use the latest technologies based on the pure IP and which can also offer seamless handoff between cells while on the move.
“Being able to offer high-speed data services, including mobile VoIP and broadband, completes Digiweb’s mobile strategy and makes us a very significant operator in Ireland for voice and data communications,” explained Digiweb managing director Colm Piercy.
“The potential of this spectrum should not be underestimated and will further capitalise on our existing Cisco based MPLS IP backbone network, which we have in place in Ireland. Our high-capacity Metro platform can also be used to ‘feed’ the mobile cells with connectivity,” he continued.
“With Metro we overcame the issues faced by local loop unbundling and it’s associated costs and, with this licence, we will enter the mobile data market at a fraction of the cost paid by existing and new mobile operators. Interestingly, this spectrum can be easily used with the appropriate Government support to address the issue of rural broadband connectivity,” Piercy said.
By John Kennedy
