3, the mobile network, has announced a world-first today. Ireland is to become the first country in the world to have a commercial voice and data I-HSPA (Internet High Speed Packet Access) network. What’s a I-HSPA network? Essentially it is new technology from Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) that offers seriously fast mobile broadband.
When we say seriously fast, we are talking grease lightening. 3 says it will offer high-quality coverage and potential for speeds of up to 50MB+ to urban and rural areas in Ireland. The upgrade will allow users to engage in high-definition video conferencing and online gaming on the 3 network.
Chief technology officer with 3, David Hennessy, described it as a “complete revolution in data”.
What all this means for the digital media and marketing sectors is clear. It positions Ireland as one of the most progressive mobile broadband markets in the world and with nationwide coverage it doesn’t matter if you run your company from the Aran Islands or from Grafton St., you will be able to get extremely fast, data driven broadband. I-HSPA technology is being rolled out across 3’s network nationwide, including National Broadband Scheme areas.
3’s CEO Robert Finnegan, said 3 is “expecting to sell the iPhone and iPad later this year” – hence the video for the iPad. Which shows us the way things are going.

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