BBC: Ireland fights for cheap net access

Dangger

Nice piece up on the BBC site by Jane Wakefield today.

Ireland has taken a step closer to introducing unmetered internet access but the price could still be too high for many consumers.
Despite attracting a large number of hi-tech firms, Ireland is trailing behind most of its European neighbours because it has yet to introduce a fixed monthly fee for internet services.

Users still reliant on paying per minute for their internet connections could be about to experience always-on access as operators agree to introduce flat-rate services.

But they must be affordable, says unmetered campaign group Ireland Offline.

Expensive nation

Ireland is already the most expensive country in Europe in which to send an e-mail, according to Ireland Offline and keeping prices high could have massive implications for Ireland's future as a tech nation.

"Unless the flat rate offering is affordable, most Irish citizens won't really embrace the internet," said the group's chairman David Long.

"We have yet to see retail prices and are not convinced that competition will drive prices down far enough," he added.

Ireland Offline is calling on the government to ensure that such services are capped at a maximum of 30 euros (£20) per month.

"Market research shows that a more expensive flat-rate product will not be taken up by those who could benefit most from this sort of product: students, carers, those with disabilities, families with children," said Mr Long.

Full article here .

acous

wow that Mr Long guy is cool


:cool:

JohnK

Nice to see BBC carrying the story