Report out from National Digital Media conference, at which IOFFL spoke....

Dangger

The long awaited report from the National Digital Media conference which IrelandOffline spoke at is available here.

We spoke on the panel of the telecommunications and infrastructure workshop.

Workshop 2 Report
Telecommunications and Infrastructure

Chair: Noel Herrity
Managing Director Of Business Development, Western Connect

Panellists:
Leslie Harris
Chief executive, Nevada Tele.com

David Long
Chairman, Ireland Offline

Karlin Lillington
Journalist and Writer

John Gunnigan
Strategy and Business Development Director, O2 Ireland.

Pat Galvin
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Eircom

Objective of workshop
This workshop examined and debated the development of broadband in Ireland and its impact on the digital media sector. As issues emerged, they were put to a vote either for action or further debate.

Everyone had their say....

Panellist Presentations
The five panellists presented their views to give orientation to the discussions.

Leslie Harris
Chief executive, Nevada Tele.com
Leslie outlined the need for a National Local Access Broadband Authority to act as an independent wholesaler and allocate strategic resources fairly and equally. This
would remove many of the competitive obstacles to broadband roll-out. He also outlined the importance of key regional hubs. Local authorities throughout Ireland must take responsibility for what happens in their area.

The Government could stimulate competition in the marketplace with the following initiatives:
• Selling DSL capacity at cost to all providers, including the incumbent.
• Government sponsored local tele-hotels adjacent to the Eircom nodes
• Government sponsored metropolitan rings to business parks.

David Long
Chairman, Ireland Offline
David pointed out how far behind other European nations Ireland is in terms of broadband access and internet development. He outlined key facts inhibiting internet and broadband market growth:
• No flat-rate access – fixed fee for dial-up users
• Eircom has been “testing” ADSL since 1998
• ADSL was not delayed “by regulator” It wasn’t offered until Sept 2001
• No affordable broadband for consumers
• Internet penetration stalled at 33%

Many of the issues delaying the availability of flat-rate broadband are ultimately the responsibility of the Department of Public Enterprise. Granting insufficient powers to the ODTR, the delay in the Telecommunications Bill, poor transposition of EU directives into Irish law and non consideration or implementation of Forfas
recommendations have all contributed to Ireland’s deficiency in broadband access.

The ODTR is constantly reacting to events instead of taking a position of vision and leadership, as is required. General confusion and mystery surrounds the role and activities of the Information Society Commission and the status of the Digital Hub.
In relation to the Metropolitan Fibre Ring Networks Initiative, it is a matter of great concern that there are no concrete measures for last mile connectivity to SMEs or consumers. Without local authority involvement this network is likely to end up unlit,
like so much fibre in Ireland.

Karlin Lillington
Journalist and Writer
Lack of affordable, flat-rate broadband access is an extremely important issue for the Irish digital media industry. The ISDN products currently available are too expensive and too slow. Small companies are unable to achieve their potential and the entire industry is suffering. Irish consumers are not even offered a flat-rate internet package. Esat’s no-limits product attracted a great deal of negative publicity.

Digital media production, distribution and management fits very well with Ireland’s core skills and competence. The employment it provides is highly paid, information based and does not depend on availability of natural resources.

Pat Galvin
Director of Regulatory Affairs, Eircom
Outlined Eircom’s position regarding the national infrastructure and showed that the perceived infrastructure deficit was caused by unavailability of services, rather than a lack of infrastructure. The infrastructure investment is well underway and needs to be
sustained.

The broadband infrastructure outlined was more extensive than many delegates expected, leading to discussions about the effectiveness or otherwise of Eircom’s promotion of the services available.

Stable and predictable regulatory environment is necessary to allow telecomms companies to plan and develop their product offerings. Regulation sets standards, provides a level of certainty and creates a momentum within the industry.

John Gunnigan
Strategy and Business Development Director, O2 Ireland.
John outlined how infrastructure deployment was a function of a range of supply issues and demand issues. The very substantial investment required, the existence of competing technologies and the inflexible regulatory and planning environment all
contributed to suppress broadband supply.

Availability, the chicken and egg situation relating to applications and service, and the high cost of broadband to business and consumers contributed to suppressing demand for the existing service. A significant demand exists for a fairly priced, high
quality broadband service.

Government must advocate realistic and attainable goals. There are no “magic wand” solutions. Policy must encompass all delivery platforms, providing a positive investment platform for each. Policy must encompass both demand and supply side
considerations. Public subsidies should not be the only policy focus.

The role of regulation is crucial and calls for increased regulation of investors is likely to be self-defeating. . Investors will be reluctant to invest in an environment where the returns of their investment are likely to be regulated away.

Have a look at the full report for a detailed set of recomendations and further analysis of the conference.