BT Openzone Wi-Fi Hotspots Service Launched in Drogheda





BT Openzone Wi-Fi service ensures Drogheda is technologically advanced to attract business and tourism

Drogheda-/19 May, 2005 - Wi-Fi Technology Forum/-Drogheda Chamber of Commerce announced that it is e-ready and open for business realising a long-term goal to improve telecommunications infrastructure and attract inward investment and local development. The Chamber is working with BT, a leading networked IT services provider, to establish Drogheda as a Wi-Fi Town and a key centre for growth and development.

The concept of a public wireless broadband or Wi-Fi town originated in 2001 when Drogheda Chamber of Commerce commissioned Peter Bacon & Associates to develop an Economic and Spatial Development Plan of Drogheda, Ireland?s 6th most densely populated urban area.

The aggressive 4-year action plan identified telecommunications infrastructure as a root cause of lack of inward investment and a critical area for improvement. Drogheda set out to create Ireland?s first Wi-Fi town and selected BT as its communications partner to achieve this aim.

According to Graham O?Rourke, President of Drogheda Chamber of Commerce, ?Today marks a milestone in Drogheda?s infrastructural action plan. With BT, we have added yet another critical piece of telecoms infrastructure to Drogheda's CV and will continue to lead the way in this and other areas. We are also working with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to encourage international and national business to locate here in Drogheda. With our easy access to the Airport, critical mass, highly educated workforce and lower cost of living, Drogheda is a real alternative to Dublin for knowledge-based industry.?

Mike Maloney, COO, BT added, ?Drogheda has shown great leadership in setting out a vision for a better future for the town and its inhabitants. Today?s launch is testament to the power of private industry and the public sector joining forces to create a digital knowledge economy that will improve the competitiveness of the region.?

BT is Ireland?s largest provider of Wi-Fi through its service BT Openzone. The service has been installed in 10 key business locations in Drogheda town including: Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Jaffas Caf?, Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda Chamber of Commerce Offices, Monks Caf?, two Maxol Service Stations, Star & Crescent, Bridgend Hotel and the Black Bull Inn.

BT Openzone is expected to drive traffic through Drogheda by attracting business commuters, remote workers, local businesspeople, residents and tourists who are never more than five minutes from a Wi-Fi hotspot within the town.

Using a wireless-enabled laptop or PDA, customers visiting any of the 10 business locations can log on to the internet, email or corporate networks. Customers can pay for the BT Openzone service using vouchers, pay per minute or subscription.

Peter Bacon, Bacon & Associates said ?We are delighted to hear of this positive development for Drogheda. Drogheda is now realising many of the opportunities highlighted by us in past studies and is an attractive location for investment.?

BT Openzone Payment Options:
1) BT Openzone per Minute ? 25cent per minute (ex VAT)
2) BT Openzone Vouchers - ?10/?15/?60 (inc VAT)
3) BT Openzone Subscription - ?40 (ex VAT) for 4,000 minutes; 12 cent per additional minute (capped at maximum of ?80 (ex VAT) a month for additional minutes)

For more information, please visit http://www.btopenzone.ie



About BT Ireland
BT Ireland is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc.

BT Ireland helps organisations large and small, corporate and public, Irish and global to thrive through the provision of networked IT services.

BT Ireland also operates in the residential and Internet portal markets, offering a full suite of innovative services to consumers, from home phone and Internet access, to Wi-Fi and high-speed broadband.

For further information, please visit http://www.btireland.ie