Gavan Smyth, VP of business services for UPC
Ahead of Silicon Republic’s Digital Ireland Forum on 12 September, we chat to UPC’s Gavan Smyth, who says adding mobile is crucial, given business and consumer expectations for on-demand access to information.
As a country, Ireland cannot take its foot off the accelerator when it comes to enhancing its digital infrastructure. Excellent high-speed broadband remains key if it is to continue attracting FDI (foreign direct investment) and supporting its own indigenous businesses, says Gavan Smyth, vice-president of business services for UPC.
“We’ve done a really good job on that (FDI) in recent years. That’s going to spawn jobs, so it is absolutely crucial that continues,” he says.
“Also, our indigenous companies based in Ireland need that infrastructure if they are going to compete out in the world, because it’s a global business market today. The companies must be able to create web stores, and various products and services that they can sell internationally.”
As for UPC itself, its announced move into the mobile market in 2015 is a major development, says Smyth. It is currently a successful triple-play provider (voice, broadband, TV).
“Adding mobile to that essentially allows us to offer quad-play,” he says.
On the business side, this move will be even more crucial, says Smyth, as businesses and employees expect to access information anytime, anywhere.
“While we may be the leaders in fixed high-speed broadband, the ability to offer high-speed mobile services, as well, is going to be crucial to us for the future,” he says.
Watch the full video interview with Gavan Smyth here:
Gavan Smyth will be a panelist at the Digital Ireland Forum on 12 September in the Convention Centre Dublin
