EoW November 2009

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EuroWire – November 2009 40
technology news
The i3 Group has launched a joint
venture with Terra Solutions to address
broadband and connectivity issues in
Ireland by building next generation
fibre optic networks in the sewer. The
company will operate as H2O Ireland and
will initially have offices in Newry, with
plans to extend into offices in Dublin
towards the end of 2009.
i3 Group has pioneered the use of
existing ducts to build low cost fibre
optic infrastructures that bring super fast
connectivity to homes and businesses. It
is these tried and tested low cost models
that will enable H2O Ireland to build next
generation networks across the island.
Elfed Thomas, CEO of i3 Group explained:
“i3 has developed low cost methods
of building fibre optic networks. The
models, which include Fibrecity and
Fibrezone networks, are the foundation
for addressing connectivity issues in the
UK and it makes sense to extend these
operations into Ireland.
“Last year, i3 Group’s subsidiary
Fibrecity Holdings announced it would
be deploying the first of ten Fibrecity
networks over the next ten years. These
town and city-wide networks, capable
of delivering next generation services,
will connect all new and existing homes
bringing a true fibre to the home (FTTH)
experience.”
Fibrecity Bournemouth is already
underway and work on Fibrecity Dundee
was due to start at the end of the
summer. H2O Ireland already has plans to
start work on a Fibrecity network within
the next twelve months.
Barry McAllister, director at Terra
Solutions, will be managing director of
H2O Ireland. Mr McAllister said of his
appointment: “Connectivity in Ireland
is well behind where it should be. We
plan to address this, as there needs to
be an infrastructure that will enable next
generation services delivery.
"This joint venture with i3 is an exciting
opportunity and means that we will be
creating new jobs in the area.”
Mr Thomas concluded: “We have chosen
to partner with Terra Solutions because
of the complementary nature of its
existing business. As a pipeline specialist,
it has the relationships and know-how
to ensure that H2O Ireland’s network
deployments will be successful.”
H2O Ireland already has its first customer
and work was scheduled to begin at the
end of the summer.
i3 Group – UK
Fax: +44 1942 275707
Email:
Website:
Super fast connectivity via the sewer system
Petig has developed a
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Friedrich Petig GmbH – Germany
Fax: +49 2181 73108
Email:
Website:
Aluminium cable shears
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