This document provides information about broadband internet options for a sole trader operating a home-based arts management business. It defines broadband and related terms, lists Irish broadband providers, and details specific plans from providers like UPC, Eircom, Vodafone, Meteor, Digiweb, and WiMax. Based on the business needs for an affordable reliable option with a landline, the document recommends Digiweb's DSL Home broadband package at €27.96 per month with 7Mb download speed and free activation.

1. By Constance Vance

2. What is Broadband?
 Broadband is the term used to describe
telecommunication in which a wide band of
frequencies is available to transmit information. This
wide band of frequencies allows information to be
multiplexed and sent on many different
channels/frequencies within the band at the same
time, therefore allowing more information to be
transmitted in a given amount of time.

3. Objective
 Research the different technology options available to
me as a Sole Trader in the Arts Management sector,
operating as a business from a home office scenario in
the Dun Laoghaire locality and to conclude with a
chosen suitable broadband provider and package.

4. Glossary of Broadband terms
 GB- Short for Gigabyte. Equals to 1,024 Megabytes. It
refers to the memory capacity of a computer.
 MB- Short for Megabyte. A Megabyte is used to
describe data storage. Mbps refers to the number of
Megabytes used per second.
 KB- Short for Kilobyte. When used to describe data
storage, KB represents 1,024 bytes.

5. Glossary of Broadband terms
continued…
 Download Speed- Refers to how quickly a file can be
downloaded from a remote source. This file can be an
image, a song, a video, etc.
 Upload Speed- Refers to the rate that information is
transferred from the internet to your computer/laptop.

6. Glossary of Broadband terms
continued…
 Download Capacity- Some broadband packages have
download limits or a download capacity which sets out
how much in GB you can download and upload each
month. Only a small amount of this download limit is
used to open web pages or send an email while a larger
amount is used to watch television programmes online
or download larger files such as a music album.

7. Broadband Companies
 Upc  Digiweb
 Eircom  WiMax
 Vodafone
 Meteor Mobile
Broadband
 02 Mobile Broadband

8. Types of Broadband
 Landline Broadband- requires a telephone land line.
 Mobile Broadband- portable device called a dongle
which is connected to computer/laptop, enjoy
anywhere, anytime.
 Satellite Broadband- internet connectivity sent
through a satellite pod.
 Wireless Broadband- wireless router means no
landline connection needed.

9. UPC Fibre Powered Broadband
Usage 20Mb 25Mb 50Mb 100Mb
Allowance
Upload Speed 2Mb 2.5Mb 5Mb 7Mb
Price Per €25.00 €35.00 €45.00 €55.00
Month-
Broadband
Price Per €40.00 €45.00 €50.00
Month-
Broadband &
Home Phone
Free Wireless No Yes Yes Yes
Router

10. Eircom- Home Broadband
Up to 8Mb uncongested broadband- Up to 8Mb uncongested broadband-
10GB usage allowed Unlimited usage allowed
€39.00per month-first 6 months €44.98 per month-first 6 months
€46.79 per month thereafter €51.78 per month thereafter
Price includes line rental & VAT Price includes line rental & VAT
Unlimited local & national calls off- Unlimited local & national calls off-
peak peak
Delivery within 5 working days Delivery within 5 working days
12 month contract 12 month contract

11. Vodafone- Home Broadband
Usage 40GB 40GB 300GB 350GB
Allowance
Download 8Mb 8Mb 8Mb 24Mb
Speed
Price Per €40.00 €45.00 €52.00 €59.00
Month
Line Rental Free Free Free Free
Free Calls Off -peak Anytime Anytime Anytime

12. Meteor Mobile Broadband-
Pay As You Go
Device E173 E173 New E353 New Hotspot(shar
Refurbished e with up to 5
laptops/
devices)
Speed 7.2Mbps 7.2Mbps 14.1Mbps 7.2Mbps
Price €9.99 €29.00 €49.00 €69.00

13. Digiweb Broadband- Wireless
Metro Plans- Metro Value Metro Home Metro Xtra
Wireless
Download Speed 5Mb 8Mb 12Mb
Upload Speed 512kb 1Mb 1Mb
Price Per Month €34.95 €39.95 €59.95
Installation Cost €99.00 Free €99.00

14. Digiweb Broadband-Landline
DSL Plans DSL Personal DSL Home DSL Home Pro
Download Speed 3Mb 7Mb 24Mb
Upload Speed 384kb 384kb 768kb
Price Per Month €29.95 €27.96 €44.95
Activation Fee Free Free Free

15. Digiweb Broadband- Satellite
 Digiweb also offers a satellite broadband package with:
 Super fast 10Mb broadband
 €39.95 monthly price
 Download speed of 3.6Mb
 Wireless- no line rental

16. Wimax Home Hub
 The Wimax Home Hub
provides super fast
broadband, a solid WiFi
connection, unlimited
usage and is quick and
easy to set up. It also
includes a built in phone
line.

17. WiMax Broadband
1Mb 3Mb 7Mb 10Mb
Price Per €25.00 €30.00 €35.00 €45.00
Month
Upload Speed 256kb 246kb 512kb 512kb
Free Phone Yes Yes Yes Yes
Line
Unlimited Yes Yes Yes Yes
Usage

18. What suits my business’s needs?
 Digiweb Landline Broadband – DSL Home
 At €27.96 per month it is one of the cheapest packages
with 7 Mb download speed
 The activation cost is free
 The included landline would be convenient for
business calls

19. References
 www.digiweb.ie
 www.eircom.net
 www.imagine.ie
 www.upc.ie
 www.vodafone.ie