Results of the competitive tender process for the provision of broadband services to primary and secondary schools were announced today.
The successful bidders were Digiweb (1,428 schools), Smart Telecom(1,041 schools), Irish Broadband (592 schools), ESAT BT (585 schools), Last Mile (215 schools) and HS Data (87 schools).
The project will involve the installation of a range of broadband technologies in schools, including wireless, fixed line (DSL) and satellite.
The service levels proposed promise to provide high speed Internet access to support a range of applications.
All schools will be linked to a schools network managed by HEANNet, with appropriate helpdesk facilities and security features in place.
Eircom will provide the connections to each school as well as providing wholesale support over its network for fixed line broadband proposals.
Contracts are expected to be concluded with selected providers by the end of January with the roll-out programme commencing shortly after.
The Government has set a target date of the end of 2005 to connect all schools.