TELECOMS MARKET

Ireland’s broadband market, dominated by a triopoly of service providers, is considered to be underdeveloped by European standards. The poor economic climate continues to affect the Irish telecom market. Competition in the Irish telecom market has intensified in the past three years as a result of the reorganization of the sector following the economic crisis. The increasing uptake of LTE and NGA networks across the country will create an opportunity for operators to offer new value-added services and media content. Bundling these services in an innovative way will be key to competing effectively in the market, particularly as quad-play service bundles become more widely available. The Commission for Communications Regulation (“ComReg”) is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the Irish electronic communications sector.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Ireland is a small economy that heavenly depends on commerce. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. In late 2010, Ireland received a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help recapitalize its banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. Reforms were successful enough to leave the bailout in late 2013. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up, lowering the deficit to 4.2% of GDP. A fiscally neutral budget, program marking the end of the austerity program. The export sector has become an even more important component of Ireland’s economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% has been central to encouraging business investment.

RELEVANT INTERNET EXCHANGE POINTS

• INEX : Internet Neutral Exchange