Knockmore is on its way to
becoming one of the first Irish rural communities to provide wireless
broadband technology.
In the region of 20-30 households will participate in this innovative
pilot project which could be up and running by the end of March. And if
successful, the technology will then be rolled out to the estimated 1,300
houses in that community as well as several local businesses. Local man,
Paul Cunnane, was involved in pushing the broadband proposal through to
its pilot phase. He explained that he is currently in the process of
establishing the Knockmore Community Broadband Society - a co-operative to
administer the project.
While the concept of broadband immediately suggests international access
and communication, the priority of the Knockmore group will be primarily
to facilitate communication between local residents.
"Our vision is beyond getting faster internet access. We want our own
network. It would be a like a mini Knockmore-specific internet, complete
with chat rooms but with links to the world wide web as well," Paul
explained.
This novel project evolved due to Paul's own involvement in the Ireland
Off-line group. Their aim is to get fast affordable internet access for
everyone in Ireland.
Paul said, "We need something other than phone lines to get broadband
technology to people in rural areas. The quality of the phone lines in
this part of the country for example would be very poor. The only way for
us to access broadband is through wireless technology."
