One of the often repeated mantras in Ireland about broadband is that there is no demand. That no one really wants it. After all, there is a lot of competition, advertising and special offers but few people seem to be signing up.
Future roadmap
ComReg held a CEO Forum debate in Conrad hotel on October 6th where the leading players in Ireland got a chance to make presentations and put their views forward about the future of broadband and telecommunications in this country. Notably thin in discussion in the debate was what these providers expect people to use their broadband connections for, in the years to come. VoIP was the only new app for most. But I wonder are we going to download videos instead of going to the local rental shop, or will use video cameras to make video phone calls to loved ones? I listened closely but failed to hear telecommuting being touted as a use. Or how new models for education, research or the delivery of news content? Nada! Perhaps these companies don’t actually know what use broadband will be put to use for in the future, it certainly looks that way.
Schools still waiting
As for education, there still appears to be issues with schools obtaining their routers to connect to the internet. Apparently the service provider in question hasn’t had the equipment to put them into schools. Meanwhile the school semester rolls on and Christmas looms. Maybe Santa Claus will bring school routers this year!
Tech Camp
On October 15th, an intrepid group of Irish internet users decided to hold a tech camp in Dublin. The idea was to promote and discuss the current Irish online community, technology and events. It was a resounding success, in part due to the rules which included no self promotion to reduce the likelihood of self publicising companies hijacking the event to promote their own services. ComReg could have taken this rule to heart at their CEO Forum event.
Passionate gathering
What was surprising about the Tech Camp event was the amount of passion exhibited by the attendees. Ireland has a thriving online community, with Irish websites and Blogs continuing to increase month on month. And the community is penetrating into middle class Ireland. New mothers exchange tips and advice, gamers discuss tactics, lobby groups plan campaigns, commentators critique the media, small businesses engage in open discussions with existing and prospective clients. I had assumed I was fairly au fait with all things internet-related and in touch with the current trends in Irish internet related matters but there is a vibrant and evolving online society in Ireland that I was barely aware of. One wonders what will happen as the next generation goes online and accepts it as a way of life. One thing is for sure, anyone wanting to join this growing community while using a pay per minute dial up account is going to be operating at a severe disadvantage.
Introducing Digital Rights Ireland
Also at the TechCamp event a new lobby group made an appearance. The Irish Digital Rights Group made a presentation in which they laid out their objectives, roles and ambitions. Based loosely on the Electronic Frontiers Society in America, its founding members hope to counteract the continuing erosion of people’s electronic rights in Ireland. We wish them luck in their venture.
Digital Rights Ireland will promote, defend, educate and campaign on civil liberties in a digital age. It will be set up as a not-for-profit company. Its founding members combine legal, technological and public advocacy expertise. It website under construction and when live, will link with groups like Edri and Privacy International. The Directors of this organisation are Bernie Goldbach, Colm MacCarthaigh, Damien Mulley, Antoin O Lachtnain and TJ McIntyre who will act as chairman. If you are interested in helping out or want to keep informed on what DRI is doing then subscribe to the mailing list here: lists.stdlib.net/mailman/listinfo/dri-interest
* For more information visit www.irelandoffline.org and post a comment on its discussion forum. John Timmons is a committee member of Ireland Offline, a not for profit, voluntary organisation that campaigns for the widespread provision of affordable and fast Internet access.
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