2. Broadband

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Broadband. Source:OECD, broadband subscribbers per 100 inhabitants, by technology, December 2006

Broadband growth. SOurce: ComReg, Irish Communications Market: Key Data Report - March 2007

Ireland’s broadband penetration levels may not be stellar, but they’re in much better shape than a year ago.

New broadband customers were added at the rate of 20,000 a month in 2006. In the OECD league tables for 2006, Ireland is at No. 5 in terms of the growth levels.

But even those type of gains were not sufficient to push our rating up in the OECD table that really matters – the one that plots broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants.

Ireland remains eighth from the bottom of the table and still a distance shy from the OECD average.

The mood music from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is positive. Expect more significant strides for 2007 and a more positive OECD ranking this time next year.

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