ESB Broadband?

hallo dare

Anyone know why the ESB don't provide broadband to everyone? They have every home in the Country basically covered when it comes to power,so why can't they provide data over the powerlines also?

I know the basic problems are there as in : power cuts,getting past a transformer, etc etc.

just like to know if anyone heard why it cannot be done. Thanks

Busted Flat.

The ESB are making a fortune in overseas contracts, why would they try and give anything to the small people of this country. They do not need to, if they get short of cash for bonuses, or executives largess, they screw us a little bit more.
End of rant.

bealtine

hallo dare wrote: »

Anyone know why the ESB don't provide broadband to everyone? They have every home in the Country basically covered when it comes to power,so why can't they provide data over the powerlines also?

I know the basic problems are there as in : power cuts,getting past a transformer, etc etc.

just like to know if anyone heard why it cannot be done. Thanks

They are currently in the process of choosing a joint venture partner, no idea on timescales though

jimmycrackcorm

It would be a huge undertaking to build up a broadband network from scratch. It's not just a matter of having poles around the country.

smellslikeshoes

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

It would be a huge undertaking to build up a broadband network from scratch. It's not just a matter of having poles around the country.

I'm not going to say it wouldn't be a huge undertaking but ESB have more than just poles going for them if they decided to take the bull by the horns eg. their 1300km of Fibre.

hallo dare wrote: »

why can't they provide data over the powerlines also?

Broadband over power lines isn't worth the hassle and isn't something that has been done commercially in any meaningful way. If they were going to provide broadband the majority of it would be fibre strung along the power lines.Heres a previous thread with more discussion on the ESB providing broadband.

dubrov

bealtine wrote: »

They are currently in the process of choosing a joint venture partner, no idea on timescales though

Joint venture probably means ESB are paid by a third party to use their brand.
I can't see ESB running this themselves and being able to compete on price

loyatemu

they already have fibre running along their pylon routes.

they're planning to move into broadband provision over the next few years, targetting areas not currently served by cable or eircom's VDSL. I'd imagine they'll be using their existing ducting or overhead wires to provide FTTC and FTTH.

previously discussed here

degsie

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

It would be a huge undertaking to build up a broadband network from scratch. It's not just a matter of having poles around the country.

Wouldn't be surprised is some Eastern Europeans got offended by that statement :pac:

bk

loyatemu wrote: »

they're planning to move into broadband provision over the next few years, targetting areas not currently served by cable or eircom's VDSL. I'd imagine they'll be using their existing ducting or overhead wires to provide FTTC and FTTH.

I'm not so sure about that, it is looking increasingly like Eircom's VDSL is going to hit almost every home eventually.

Certainly most homes but the most rural. And such rural homes will be of no interest to the ESB.

The ESB will want to target semi-urban homes.

So that now raises the question will they continue to go ahead with this venture, given Eircoms FTTC rollout.

On the other hand they could still rollout offering a competitor to Eircom and higher speeds in areas where UPC aren't available.

Capt'n Midnight

ducts into house are jealously guarded

cable companies like UPC have local geographical monopolies

Eircom have a defacto copper monopoly in most areas


In a nutshell the problem is and always has been the vested interests who hog the last mile.



You can't get high speed internet on powerlines for various technical reasons - it's not twisted pair , it's not designed as a transmission line and anywhere the cable appears above ground it can wipe out radio / tv / wifi depending on who you want to believe. Look at the whole UK debate on whitespace where lots of technical people are way more concerned that the marketeers



If the ESB could put fibre to the cabinet and radio links that might work. But that would apply to housing estates who already have alternatives.


For really rural areas, high altitude kites / balloons look more attractive than sticking RF repeators on ESB poles.

bk

I assume that the plan is to run fibre cables along the electricity poles and from there into peoples homes, or where available the ESB use their own pre-existing ducts.

godskitchen

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

ducts into house are jealously guarded

cable companies like UPC have local geographical monopolies

Eircom have a defacto copper monopoly in most areas


In a nutshell the problem is and always has been the vested interests who hog the last mile.



You can't get high speed internet on powerlines for various technical reasons - it's not twisted pair , it's not designed as a transmission line and anywhere the cable appears above ground it can wipe out radio / tv / wifi depending on who you want to believe. Look at the whole UK debate on whitespace where lots of technical people are way more concerned that the marketeers



If the ESB could put fibre to the cabinet and radio links that might work. But that would apply to housing estates who already have alternatives.


For really rural areas, high altitude kites / balloons look more attractive than sticking RF repeators on ESB poles.

Kites and balloons?

Have you experienced how windy it gets here?