EM - December/January 2015 - (Page 11)

11 Dec/Jan 2015 www.esb.ie/em Innovation ESB Vodafone Joint Venture gets Green Light from EU Commission ESB ecars at conference in Vienna P13 ONE YOUNG WORLD DELEGATES VISIT ESB INTERNATIONAL Front Row L - R: Selina Duignan (ESB International), Cormac McCarthy (ESB), Clodagh Dawn- O'Reilly (ESB), Severus Sheetekela (NamPower), Pat O'Doherty, (CEO, ESB), Lisa Brady, (ESB), Sean Finnegan (ESB), Carol Murphy (ESB International), Dervla O'Flaherty (ESB Innovation). Back Row L - R: Colm Moloney (ESB International), Steven Daly (Camara Ireland). Pictured welcoming the European Commission approval for ESB and Vodafone to create a joint venture company to deliver a 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network are (l-r) Pat O'Doherty, Chief Executive ESB; Anne O'Leary, Vodafone Ireland CEO; and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White TD. FOLLOWING THE EUROPEAN Commission's approval, the ESB Vodafone joint venture company was created, which will deliver a 100% fibre-to-thebuilding broadband network for the first time in Ireland. The open access network, which will be available to all authorised broadband operators in the country, will help to propel Ireland into the ranks of the world's fastest broadband countries and open up a new world of possibilities for Irish consumers and businesses. The two companies will now go about formally establishing the joint venture. Network roll-out will commence early next year and phase one is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, with further scope for a second phase thereafter. The first technical trials of the technology are already underway in two estates in Cavan town. The Commission's decision was welcomed by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White TD, who said: "This decision is great news for Irish broadband customers and providers as it will drive competition in the sector, while giving 50 towns nationwide access to a market leading, future proofed broadband service. It's an important project which complements the Government's National Broadband Plan to ensure that all of Ireland's regions have access to fast broadband. "It is also hugely significant in terms of the National Digital Strategy which aims to get more small businesses online. High speed broadband is a crucial element for Ireland's future competitiveness and this project will help ensure that Ireland is better connected than most countries in the world." Pat O'Doherty, Chief Executive of ESB, said: "This is a huge milestone for ESB. We have invested €6 billion in recent years in transforming and modernising Ireland's electricity grid, so that it can deliver this type of service. It's consistent with ESB's strategy of innovating, modernising and working in collaboration with other industry leaders. "The fibre-to-the-building broadband network will be the most significant development in Ireland's broadband sector to date and will be a real boost for regional Ireland and the economy as a whole. We will create an entirely new type of connectivity - seamless, instant and powerful - so that people in towns like Cavan can have the same amazing online experience as Tokyo. I look forward to the establishment of the company with Vodafone and to progressing with roll-out to enable Irish businesses and consumers to take advantage of a new world of possibilities." While the ESB and Vodafone joint venture will build and manage the fibre-to-the-building network, open access will be offered to all authorised operators in Ireland on a wholesale basis. This means that other operators can resell the fibre product to their customers, helping to stimulate the development of new services and boosting retail competition in the broadband market for all Irish consumers and businesses. Anne O'Leary, Vodafone Ireland CEO said: "This project is consistent with Vodafone's strategy of investing in ambitious projects and technology to deliver the most innovative services. This open-access network, made possible by the coming together of two strong established brands - Vodafone and the ESB, will revolutionise consumers' and businesses' experience of broadband. "The fibre-to-the-building network will provide a vital boost for the Irish business community, particularly in regional areas, by getting more companies online, enabling them to develop new products and services, creating new international trade opportunities and attracting more FDI to Ireland." n ONE YOUNG WORLD Summit, a global forum for the most influential and brightest young leaders took place at the Convention Centre in Dublin from 15th - 18th October. At the event, the young leaders debated, formulated and shared innovative solutions for the pressing issues the world faces. During the summit, ESB International held a One Young World Breakout Session at their offices on Stephen's Green. Over 50 international delegates attended this session along with the ESB delegates, Colm Moloney, Sean Finnegan, Cormac McCarthy, Lisa Brady, Clodagh Dawn-O'Reilly, Steven Daly (an ESBnominated delegate from Camara Ireland) and Severus Sheetekela (an ESB-nominated delegate from Nampower in Namibia). Keeping on topic, ESB International asked the young delegates a challenging question. "Power Play? Fair Play? How to give everyone in the world access to electricity, without destroying the planet." To give the delegates the context around this complex issue, presentations were given by Peter O'Shea, Head of Regulation & Strategy ESB, Brendan Barry, ESB Manager of Emerging Energy Technologies, and Severus Sheetekela of NamPower. The young delegates broke into groups for the breakout session where they each had 45 minutes to come up with ideas on how to give everyone in the world access to electricity while taking into account the impact on climate change. The groups then presented their ideas to their fellow delegates. Solutions ranging from education, awareness and funding to government engagement were key themes of the discussion. The breakout session was closed out by Pat O'Doherty, Chief Executive ESB, who encouraged the young delegates to keep up their enthusiasm and passion as they are our future. ESB International's delegate, Colm Moloney, commented on his experience at the One Young World Summit, saying: "At the end of the week I came away feeling energised, full of new learning, but also in many ways somewhat humbled and appreciative. In addition to the seminar itself I got to meet and enjoy the company of other ESB delegates as well as people from all over the world. It really was a great experience." The afternoon was a great success. Thanks to all involved both in ESB International, ESB Group and a special thanks to Severus Sheetekela from NamPower. n Peter O'Shea, Head of Regulation and Strategy ESB, Severus Sheetekela of NamPower and Brendan Barry, ESB Manager of Emerging Energy Technologies. First Fibre customer connected in Cavan Homes in Cavan are the first to be connected to the fibre technology, delivering the fastest broadband speeds in Ireland. AS PART OF the on-going technical trials in Co. Cavan, ESB-Vodafone's first Fibre to the Building customer was successfully connected on the 6th October 2014. Tina Pittock, ESB's Fibre to the Building Programme Manager said "We are delighted to have reached this milestone with the first customers trialling our new service. It's due to the hard work and commitment of ESB's Fibre project team, ESB Networks and Vodafone". Three hundred residents in Cavan have already signed up to the high speed broadband service and are now experiencing the fastest broadband speeds in the country. ESB Networks is managing the installation of the trial fibre network from the backhaul connection right into the customers' homes. This diversification of ESB's normal scope of work has been an exciting challenge and with the help of our main sub-contractors, ReachActive (ERA) and KN Network Services (KNNS), there has been a huge amount of progress and learning to date. n UCD Ladies GAA in Asia Page 12 http://www.esb.ie/em

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - December/January 2015

News
Innovation
Generation & Wholesale Markets
BSC & Electric Ireland
EBS Networks Ltd
Health & Habitat

EM - December/January 2015