Carlow yesterday declared itself "Ireland's first Wi-Fi town" as it launched a new wireless broadband internet service.
Officials claim that the pilot project, which is "three years ahead of Dublin's proposed Wi-Fi network", offers business and domestic users "faster and cheaper" access to the internet than Eircom.
The service, developed jointly by e-net, a Limerick-based technology company, and Carlow County Council, will initially provide coverage for 50 per cent of businesses and 10 per cent of residences in Carlow town.
Conal Henry, chief executive of e-net, said the service would be expanded "if this commercial trial is successful" and could then be launched in another 27 towns. "Wi-Fi provides another way to deliver broadband in places where other providers might not bother about," he said.
Plans to extend the service to other towns is dependent on "appropriate funding". The Carlow start-up project has cost €3 million, with 90 per cent of the cost provided by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and 10 per cent by the local authorities.
Mr Henry described the launch as "another important step towards the Government's goal of balanced regional development [ which] helps reverse the digital divide in Ireland."
He explained that Wi-Fi enables users to access the internet "on the move" and "means people can use laptops anywhere instead of using computers attached to cables".
The service is delivered from transmitters linked to a fibre-optic "Metropolitan Area Network". Carlow will initially have 11 "access point" transmitters, covering 498 commercial buildings and 787 residential premises.
Up to now, so called "Wi-Fi hotspots" have been restricted to specific locations, such as airport lounges and hotels. The Carlow project eventually aims to create a Wi-Fi hotspot of the entire town.
Mr Henry said users of the service would pay €15 per month for "always-on broadband" which would be "much cheaper than Eircom" and enjoy "faster speed". However, the charge for "pay-as-you go" occasional or one-off customers would be "about €3.50 per hour".
Mr Henry said there was "no evidence to suggest that there is any health issue" in relation to wireless technology. He said that "the signals are of a much lower strength than those coming from mobile phone masts and the Government has looked at this and found no issue".
Michael Abbey, chairman of Carlow County Council, said yesterday was "a landmark day for Carlow town" which could help to attract new investment.
Jim Townsend, chairman of Carlow Town Council, pointed out that wireless technology may be the only way to provide internet access to isolated communities.
