Simon Coveney
Question:280 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he plans to promote and progress wireless broadband technology here. [6409/03]
Written Answers - Broadband Technology.
As I previously indicated, my Department is currently grant-aiding a number of projects for the trailing of wireless local area networks technology, normally referred to as WLANs. The purpose of these trials is to assess the potential of the technology.
The trials are being undertaken by: Rococo-Trinity – Dublin; Amocom – Cork; Digiweb – Dundalk; O2; and ESAT BT.
The locations proposed for the various trials are: Digital Hub – two projects, different operators; Trinity College; Cork city and Mahon area; Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee; Westport and Sligo; conference-exhibition centre – RDS; transport terminus, ferry terminal Dún Laoghaire; and hotel hotspots, one each in Dublin, Limerick and Galway.
The trials are due for completion by the end of the year. WLAN technology is set to be rolled out commercially by a number of operators in the Irish market this year.