Today, Wednesday, 27 March 2013 saw the official launch of the Clifden Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), providing the West Galway town with a superfast fibre broadband network comparable with anywhere in the world.
The MAN is an advanced fibre infrastructure capable of delivering world class communications and information services. Indigenous businesses, as well as multinational companies located across the West Galway region can now utilise the new, affordable high-speed links to drive opportunities such as cost control and entry into new markets.
The network, managed by enet, already has two telecoms companies, including managed telecommunications service provider AirSpeed Telecom, providing services to end users via the infrastructure. Pobal, who manage programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU, has taken a MAN based service via AirSpeed Telecom, facilitating their connection to the government nationwide communications network.
Martina Moloney, County Manager, Galway County Council, stated “The activation of the Clifden MAN is a significant occasion for the development of the town, as well as the wider West Galway region. The availability of high capacity broadband will give the town a level playing field when it comes to securing investment and job creation. The Local Authority, for our part, is committed to marketing Clifden as a viable investment location for international or indeed indigenous companies.”
Welcoming the activation of the Clifden MAN, Chris Shanahan, President of the Connemara Chamber of Commerce, commented, “This telecommunications network serves as a significant boost to ongoing efforts to make the town attractive for investment. Furthermore, we recognise that this is also exciting news for existing businesses in the area; as faster, more reliable broadband enables companies to innovate and increase productivity.”
Liam O’ Kelly, Managing Director AirSpeed Telecom, said: “AirSpeed Telecom is leveraging its extensive infrastructure in the West Galway region to facilitate the activation of the MAN. The real-world cost savings, efficiency gains and commercial opportunities this superfast fibre broadband network can create is very positive news for the economic growth of region.”