Metropolitan Area Network, Represents Dumb Networking

The Sunday Business Post had a brilliant article about why the Government does not under stand broadband, or how to manage the future of Irish Broadband.

I’ll quote:

The network … They were backed by the government in an attempt to stimulate competition in the broadband market. …. The networks are also catering solely for large businesses and cannot deliver broadband to homes or small businesses, which are experiencing major difficulties obtaining the service. … Eircom already offers broadband to 118 of the 120 areas covered by the network.

so let’s review.

  • The network is only available for big business
  • Big business has difficulty obtaining it
  • There is already a competing service in 98% of the coverage area
  • Small businesses and home owners can’t get the service even though their taxes pay for it

So they are 1) trying to deliver broadband to companies that don’t need it, 2) who will have trouble acquiring it, 3) in areas that already have it, 4) But not to people that need it, and are paying for it.

Does that sound stupid or what? Pick any number or all of them combined, and ask yourself how many points did the government miss here.

3 comments on “Metropolitan Area Network, Represents Dumb Networking

  1. 10k to connect a business to the MAN in Cork City. 10 bloody k and then comes the yearly charges after that.

    Kiltimagh in Co. Mayo got a MAN but it connects to nothing. There is no backhaul going into the town so they spent a few 100k on an expensive piece of string.

  2. So now you can add a few more points:

    • It costs a great deal of money
    • It costs more than the completion
    • and it doesn’t connect to anything

    A line from my favorite movie, The last Starfighter, “a mobile home that doesn’t go anywhere”

    A network that doesn’t network!

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