Ireland | Wi-Fi Hotspots
 

802.11b | Service availability | Cost | Installing Wi-Fi internet access in your premises

Eircom DSL broadband subscribers can avail of unlimited access to eircom WiFi hotspots throughout Ireland for EUR 10 + VAT per month.  (The monthly fee for non-subscribers is EUR 25 + VAT).  

Nokia's new multi-mode WiFi (VoIP)/ Cellular phones

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is a wire-free networking standard that uses unlicensed radio spectrum.   While it was originally developed for office and campus networks, it has become a simple, inexpensive way of providing internet access - overcoming the "last mile" problem.    It provides always on connectivity to the internet, so you don't have to wait while your modem establishes a connection to the ISP.    This makes your internet connection far more responsive your needs and can provide immediate notification of new e-mails as they arrive.   Because Wi-Fi does not use a phone line, there are no phone call costs ticking up while you or your family are online - a saving of perhaps EUR 15 to 30 in the average household every month!   And your phone line is kept free for important phone calls.   A Wi-Fi network connection to your PC operates at up to 11 M/bits per second, and provides a less expensive service than DSL or cable internet.

What is required?

Wi-Fi uses a very low power radio modem that typically operates at 100mW (i.e. one tenth of a watt or about one twentieth of the maximum power output of a GSM mobile phone).   The modem and a little antenna should cost less than EUR 400, which should repay itself in a year or less in terms of phone call savings.  The equipment is available for both laptops and desktop computers.   The laptop modems take the form of a tiny PC Card (aka PCMCIA).   You also need a service provider to provide the internet access.

New WiFi Phone

The new Siemens SL75 WiFi phone - a phone you can take with you anywhere there is WiFi coverage - home, office, hotel, shopping mall, street, motorway-rest,  etc.   Calls can be diverted to voicemail when out of WLAN coverage.   Make and receive calls at landline or VoIP rates (sometimes free of charge!) .  Stores multiple WLAN set-ups.   Send and receive e-mails.  Integrated digital camera.  All the features of a mobile phone without the mobile phone bill at the end of the month.  €299, available November 2005.  

Eircom Wireless Broadband Website

Where are WiFi internet access
services publicly available in Ireland?
 

Cork city centre public internet access (Wi-Fi) network

Please also see the Free-hotspot.com website for new locations providing advertising supported, free wi-fi internet access.
 

Eircom Payphone Wi-Fi Sites

These sites provide  Wi-Fi internet access within  a radius of 100 metres or so of the payphones listed below.   More sites are being added in other cities over the coming months.

Cork

Payphone Location

Grand Parade

South Mall

Washington Street

Glanmire Road Lower

MacCurtain Street

Free Wi-Fi also available at McDonalds Restaurants at Patrick Street, Wintrop Street and Commons Road locations.

Dublin   (Hotspot location map)

Broadband Information

If you are aware of any other access points please e-mail us using the feedback link below.

O2 wireless zone (limited information)

BE SURE TO USE A PROPERLY SET-UP FIREWALL AND IDEALLY A SECURE TUNNEL (IE ENCRYPTED SSH PORT FORWARDING OR IPSEC VPN TO YOUR CORPORATE NETWORK) WHEN CONNECTING A PC TO THE INTERNET VIA A WI-FI OR WIRELINE CONNECTION.   IF YOU USE MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000/XP KEEP YOUR SYSTEM UP TO DATE FROM A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE BY CHECKING REGULARLY AT WWW.MICROSOFT.COM/WINDOWSUPDATE AND UPDATING YOUR SYSTEM WITH SECURITY UPDATES.  MANY OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS HAVE SIMILAR SECURITY UPDATING SERVICES - CONSULT THE OS MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE.

Most PC or mobile phone shops stock them.   One product, the Nokia D211 provides the added benefit of supporting not only WiFi but also GPRS and dial-up data calls (HSCSD) via a GSM mobile phone connection.  

Links:

Free-hotspot.com

VBNets

Bitbuzz

ESATBT Openzone