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