New Media TechnologiesCA2

Researching Broadband Internet Services available to SME’s in Ireland 2011

Tara McNallyN00062291

Introduction

For this assignment I have been asked to outline the different broadband options available to a sole trader in the arts management sector in Sutton, Dublin 13.

To evaluate what they offer to small business’s and which option suits me best.

What’s Available In my Area?

EircomVodafoneStrencom

Vodafone

Vodafone Group PLC is a global telecommunications company. With their headquarters in London. As of the 30th September 2010 it had approx 332 million subscribers.

VodafoneWhat they offer? 3MB Vodafone Office

ADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed up to 3Kbps Upload Speed up to .384Kbps No Installation Fee

Price Per Month - €24.99Price excludes 21% VAT

Vodafone Continued … 8MB Vodafone Office

ADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed up to 12Kbps Upload Speed up to 1Kbps No Installation Fee

Price Per Month €34.99Price excludes 21% VAT

Vodafone Continued…

12MB Vodafone OfficeADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed up to 12Kbps Upload Speed up to 1Kbps No Installation Fee

Price Per Month €54.99Price excludes 21% VAT

Vodafone Continued…

24MB Vodafone OfficeADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed up to 24Kbps Upload Speed up to 1Kbps No Installation Fee

Price Per Month €64.99Price Excludes 21% VAT

Eircom

Eircom is the principal provider of fixed-line telecommunications services in Ireland with approximately 2.6 million fixed-line telephone access channels in service.

Turnover for the group was approximately €2 billion and EBITDA* was €692 million in the financial year ended 30 June, 2009.

Eircom Continued…

Up to 12/1Mb Business PlusADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed 12Mbps Upload Speed 1Mbps No Installation Fee

Price per month €65.00

Price excludes 21% Vat

Eircom Continued… Up to 12/2Mb Business Enhanced

ADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed 12Mbps Upload Speed 2Mbps No Installation Fee

Price per month €99.00Price excludes 21% VAT

Eircom Continued…Up to 24/1Mb Business AdvancedADSL Contention (48:1) Download Speed 24MbpsUpload Speed 1Mbps No Installation Fee NO CAP

Price per Month €99.00Price excludes 21% Vat

Strencom ISP broadband

Strencom provide Cloud Services & Innovative Data and Internet Solutions exclusively to business customers throughout Ireland and the UK.

Strencom ISP broadband Strencom 3MB Small BizADSL Contention (24:1) Download Speed 4Mbps Upload Speed 384KbpsInstallation Fee €85.00NO CAPShort Install Time (5 Day Target!)

Price Per month €89.00Price excludes 21% VAT

Strencom Continued…Strencom 4MB UnlimitedADSLContention (24:1) Download Speed 5Mbps Upload Speed 512KbpsInstallation Fee €85.00Short Install Time (5 Day Target!) NO CAP

Price per month €169.00 Price excludes 21% VAT

Which option suits my business? I have chosen to go with 8MB Vodafone Office. Although

along with Eircom they have a higher contention ratio than Strencom, they offer the similar 12Kbps Download speed and 1Kbps package as Eircom at a much lower rate of €34.99 (excluding VAT).

My option continued…

Eircom offer this package at the rate of €65.00 (excluding VAT). Been a small arts management company, funding is limited, so a low rate yet effective package is needed.I think the upload speed would suit the needs of a small business.

My option continued…

They do not charge an installation fee like Strencom (€85.00). Although they don’t have a download cap I don’t think I would reach the 20gb limit as I wouldn’t be downloading films etc.

My option continued…

Through word of mouth both Eircom and Vodafone are reliable and have built a good reputation. I spoke to two business owners in my area, both of them had never heard of Strencom. They where both with Eircom and where unaware of Vodafone offering a much cheaper plan.

Key Terms…• Contention – Is the term broadband providers use to show

how many people will be sharing the connection.

• ADSL – Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a technology that allows data to be sent over existing copper lines.

Bibliographywww.getbroadband.iehttp://www.getbroadband.ie/business_broadband_deals.php?at=2 Date accessed 12.01.11

www.eircom.nethttp://investorrelations.eircom.net/about/ Date accessed 12.01.11

Bibliography continued…

•www.vodafone.iehttp://www.vodafone.com/content/index/about/foundation/about_foundation.html Date accessed 12.01.11

•www.strencom.nethttp://www.strencom.net/index.cfm/page/news/newsid/76 Date accessed 12.01.11