[ILUG] Government Tender to provide rural broadband coverage

[David Howe]

It was announced this week that 3 have been awarded a contract to provide
broadband coverage to 30% of the Irish land mass using 3G/HDSPA.

Given the recent experience of linux users with 3G modems I would like to
get some views on the suitability of the solution considering the
alternatives such as LMDS, Wimax, fibre, ADSL/DSL.

I am currently putting together a paper for the Green Party Science &
Technology policy group which aims to put a science based set of policies
before the green party leadership ( a bit late for rural BB by the sound
of t).  By the way I am doing this on a voluntary basis.

I have written to the party on the advantages of FOSS in government and
education. Whether this all falls on deaf ears will have to be seen. FOSS
seems to be an anathema to civil servants who decide on tenders and
technologies.

Any feedback is welcome.

Regards,

David

-- 
David Howe
Managing Director
Howe Systems Limited
Tel: +353 402 93030
Mob: +353 86 328 2903
Registered Address: Rock Big, Arklow, County Wicklow
Place of Registration: Dublin, Ireland.
Company Registration Number:399359